There is really nothing better than climbing into bed after a long, stressful day. You have been dreaming of your warm bed all day long and the minute your head hits your pillow, you fall into a deep, blissful sleep. Then when the morning comes, you wake up feeling incredibly well-rested and ready to take on the day.
That is everyone’s ideal situation. However, it seems to rarely happen. It goes more like: You stumble into bed at night, stressed and anxious for tomorrow. You stay up for two hours thinking about all the things you have to do the next day. And when you finally bring yourself to fall asleep, you have a terrible night’s rest and wake up the next morning feeling just as stressed as you did the night before.
Getting a full night’s rest is imperative to your health for many reasons. We should all prioritize sleeping more, as it impacts our daily lives. Here are 5 surprising health benefits to getting more sleep:
1. Improves Your Immune System
You can have the most well balanced diet, take your vitamins, and drink green juice every day, but if you are not getting enough sleep, your immune system will show it. The more you sleep, the better your body is going to be at fighting off illnesses, like a cold or the flu.
It is also a good idea to keep a water bottle on your nightstand so you can stay hydrated throughout the night, which is important for boosting your immune system.
2. Better Mood
There is a reason why you wake up after getting a full night’s rest in a much better mood. When you wake up well rested, you have a better outlook on the day and have much more energy.
But getting a good night’s sleep doesn’t just have to do with the amount of time you sleep—it’s also about how you sleep. The key to good sleep is having the best foam mattress you can get. A good mattress will lead to more sleep, which will ultimately result in you having a better day, every day.
3. Improves Concentration and Productivity
If you find it difficult to focus throughout the day and to complete necessary tasks, take a look at your sleep schedule. You will probably find that you are not getting as much sleep as you think you are. Getting plenty of sleep will ultimately benefit your cognitive function and improve your productivity throughout the day.
4. Prevents Weight Gain
Bet you did not think that sleep and weight were related. The amount of sleep you get every night actually very much impacts your weight. Sleep deprivation impacts the hormones in your body that control your appetite, meaning you will be more tempted to eat less nutritious foods. Plus, the more you sleep, the more energy you will have to workout and be active throughout the day.
5. Strengthens Your Heart
When you do not get enough sleep, you put yourself more at risk of developing heart problems later on down the road. A lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure and heart attacks. When you sleep, your blood pressure goes down, which lets your heart and blood vessels rest.
It also just gives your body the opportunity to relax and de-stress. If you are finding it hard to relax enough to sleep at night, try taking melatonin or other supplements that reduce the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep.
Getting enough sleep at night goes beyond just waking up in a better mood—it has a direct impact on our health and ability to function throughout the day. You can even keep track of your sleeping patterns by using a sleep tracker to ensure you’re getting enough rest. Prioritize a good night’s rest to make sure you have more mornings when you wake up ready to take on the day.
