When we’re aiming to be healthy, most of us primarily focus on nutrition and exercise. We know we need to stay active, get our blood pumping every day, and make smart food choices like eating more vegetables and high-quality proteins. While this sets a good foundation, there’s one crucial element that often gets overlooked: sleep.
We all love sleeping and most of us dread dragging ourselves out of bed in the morning. Beyond just feeling groggy, actually getting enough sleep each night can have a significant impact on our bodies.
Sleep is incredibly beneficial, helping to improve your immune system, manage healthy weight, and enhance cognitive functions. If you’re looking for a simple way to fend off the common cold, consider sleep your best friend. A recent study involving fruit flies showed that the more sleep they got, the quicker they recovered. When you’re asleep, your immune system faces fewer disruptions than when you’re awake, so next time you catch a cold, it might be a good idea to take a long nap.
Even if you’re diligent about exercising and eating right, you can achieve better results by getting the right amount of sleep. Research has shown that maintaining consistent bed and wake times, and sleeping between 6.5 to 8.5 hours a night, leads to significantly less body fat. While this might not apply to every single person, it does suggest that sleep helps your body run at its best fat-burning rate.
As we get older, sometimes we start to forget things like where we left our wallet or keys. Getting enough sleep can actually help improve cognitive processes. During sleep, your mind strengthens connections, improves brain health, and processes memories. More sleep means a healthier, stronger mind!
So, how much sleep should you aim for each night? The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that adults get 7-8 hours of sleep, while teens should aim for 9-10 hours.
Next time you’re feeling under the weather or struggling to remember things, think about whether you’re getting enough sleep. How many hours are you clocking in each night?