Sleep and wellbeing
A good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health. In fact, sleep is just as important as eating, healthy and exercising, allowing much needed repair of our bodies overnight. Poor sleep is linked to physical problems such as a weakened immune system, and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
According to research almost a third of us drag ourselves out of bed in the morning indicating we haven’t got enough good quality sleep at night, which affects mood, productivity and concentration levels during the day.
There is a lot that can interfere with natural sleep patterns and unfortunately people are now sleeping less than they did in the past, with sleep quality also decreasing. So just why is getting the optimal 7-8 hours sleep each night so important for our health and well-being?
POOR SLEEP AND DIET
When you are well rested, you are less hungry. Poor sleep affects hormones that regulate appetite and when you are tired you are less likely to want to exercise.
GOOD SLEEP IMPROVES ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Better sleep is shown to significantly improve speed, accuracy, reaction times and mental wellbeing. Sleep is when your muscles repair and lack of sleep just saps your motivation. Proper rest sets you up for your best performance.
SLEEP IMPROVES YOUR IMMUNE FUNCTION
At least 8 hours’ sleep can improve your immune function and help fight off the flu or common cold.
MOOD BOOSTER
Refreshing slumber helps you hit the reset button on a bad day, improve your outlook on life, and be better prepared to meet challenges. You also become a nicer person to be around!
HEALTHIER HEART
While you sleep, your blood pressure drops, giving your heart and blood vessels a bit of a rest. The less sleep you get, the longer your blood pressure stays up during a 24-hour cycle. Higher blood pressure can lead to heart disease. So do your heart a favour and prioritize sleep!
Sleep is an investment in the quality of your life and is one of the foundations of good health, prioritise it today.