While sleeping well is no guarantee of good health, it does help to maintain many vital functions. One of the most important of these functions may be to provide cells and tissues with the opportunity to recover from the wear and tear of daily life. Major restorative functions in the body such as tissue repair, muscle growth, and protein synthesis occur almost exclusively during sleep.
Many other conclusions about the role sleep plays in maintaining health have come from studying what happens when humans and other animals are deprived of the sleep they need. For example, scientists have discovered that insufficient sleep may cause health problems by altering levels of the hormones involved in such processes as metabolism, appetite regulation, and stress response.11,12,13 Studies such as these may one day lead to a better understanding of how insufficient sleep increases disease risk.
In the meantime, sleep experts say there is ample evidence that shows that when people get the sleep they need, they will not only feel better, but will also increase their odds of living healthier, more productive lives.
Here are some benefits of enough sleep.
Improve memory
Your mind is surprisingly busy while you snooze. During sleep you can strengthen memories or "practice" skills learned while you were awake (it’s a process called consolidation).
Your mind is surprisingly busy while you snooze. During sleep you can strengthen memories or "practice" skills learned while you were awake (it’s a process called consolidation).
Live longer
Too much or too little sleep is associated with a shorter lifespan—although it’s not clear if it’s a cause or effect. (Illnesses may affect sleep patterns too.)
Too much or too little sleep is associated with a shorter lifespan—although it’s not clear if it’s a cause or effect. (Illnesses may affect sleep patterns too.)
Curb inflammation
Inflammation is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and premature aging. Research indicates that people who get less sleep—six or fewer hours a night—have higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins than those who get more.
Spur creativity
Get a good night’s sleep before getting out the easel and paintbrushes or the pen and paper.
Be a winner
If you’re an athlete, there may be one simple way to improve your performance: sleep.
Improve your grades
Children between the ages of 10 and 16 who have sleep disordered breathing, which includes snoring, sleep apnea, and other types of interrupted breathing during sleep, are more likely to have problems with attention and learning, according to a 2010 study in the journal Sleep. This could lead to "significant functional impairment at school," the study authors wrote.
Sharpen attention
A lack of sleep can result in ADHD-like symptoms in kids, Dr. Rapoport says.
Have a healthy weight
If you are thinking about going on a diet, you might want to plan an earlier bedtime too.
Lower stress
When it comes to our health stress and sleep are nearly one and the same—and both can affect cardiovascular health.
Avoid accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2009 that being tired accounted for the highest number of fatal single-car run-off-the-road crashes due to the driver’s performance—even more than alcohol!
Steer clear of depression
Sleeping well means more to our overall well-being than simply avoiding irritability.
Sources:
: In addition to traditional night vision, thermal imaging is a crucial component in many modern systems. click here to read the full articleThermal cameras detect the infrared radiation emitted by objects, creating images based on temperature differences. This technology is effective in total darkness and adverse weather conditions, making it invaluable for military and law enforcement.
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