Did you know that humans spend one-third of their life sleeping? This may seem like a large number, and the importance of sleep is emphasized because sleep deprivation will kill you faster than food deprivation. But unfortunately, many people do not get enough sleep, and their bodies suffer as a result. So why is sleep so important to your body and health?
A good night’s sleep empowers the body to recover and lets you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. Getting enough sleep can benefit your body in several areas of your life.
Brain Function
Sleep is essential for the brain, affecting learning, memory, creativity, decision-making, and concentration. Many biological processes that help your body function properly happen during sleep:
The brain stores new information
Toxic waste is removed from the brain
Healthy brain function is supported as nerve cells communicate and reorganize.
The body repairs cells, restores energy, and releases hormones and proteins.
Emotional Well-Being
Additionally, much research shows sleep is vital for your emotional well-being. Mental health and sleep deprivation are cyclical. Some sleep issues are linked to mental health, but on the flip side, sleep deprivation can contribute to mental health issues.
Sleep does powerful things for the brain. While you are sleeping, areas of the brain that regulate emotion are more active. For example, the amygdala is a part of the brain that governs your fear response. The amygdala can respond to fear more flexibly if you get enough sleep. However, the amygdala is more likely to overreact when you are sleep-deprived.
Immunity
Your immune system also relies on your sleep habits to stay healthy and strong. While you sleep, your body produces antibodies and immune cells that help prevent sickness by destroying harmful germs. Your body is also making cytokines and proteins that fight inflammation and infection while sleeping. So when you are sick or stressed, sleep becomes even more critical to help you recover.
Weight Maintenance
When you sleep, your body controls hunger hormones, including ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin increases appetite, and leptin increases the sense of being full after eating. Lack of sleep elevates ghrelin and suppresses leptin, which makes you hungrier. Chronic sleep deprivation can also contribute to the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sleep is essential for keeping us healthy and performing our best in our day-to-day lives. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Pittsburgh Mattress Factory knows how important your sleep is for your health. Sleeping comfortably on a quality mattress is a huge factor in your ability to get a good night’s sleep. For 50 years, customers have relied on our experience making high-quality mattresses to help you get a good night’s sleep. Buy with confidence, knowing that your custom mattress will be designed just for your needs at a factory-direct price.
Contact Pittsburgh Mattress at (941) 729-7604, or visit our mattress factory at 2424 US Highway 301 in Ellenton to see how we build each mattress.
Sources: