Everyone knows that sleep is important but is it really a matter of life or death?
For an activity we would all love to have more of, there’s far too much “lip service” and not enough action.
Here are 22 reasons to take sleep seriously:
Boosts Your Immune System
The immune system is extremely energy dependent and taking a break allows your body to redistribute resources back to this high priority process.
Enhances Your Memory
When you’re fatigued the brain cannot function at 100% and one of the big trade-offs is information recall.
Restores Your Energy Levels
You only have a limited amount of available energy for output and sleep is your opportunity to restore those levels to their capacity.
Stimulates Your Creativity
Have you ever tried to stimulate new thoughts and ideas when you can barely keep your eyes from rolling back?
Aids With Weight Management
When you lack sleep the body shifts into survival mode and one adaptations is a down regulation of metabolism. The end result is a body resistant to reducing body fat for fear it may also lose access to valuable energy in a time of need.
Strengthens Your Mental Health
Research shows depression is higher in cases where sleep debt is prevalent.
Normalizes The Aging Process
Lack of sleep is a major stress to anyone and the increase in your body’s stress chemistry speeds up the aging process…something we’d all love to avoid if possible.
Makes You Happier
Do you notice how peaceful and refreshed you feel when you wake up from a nice, restorative sleep? Imagine if this was a regular occurrence…smiles all around.
Reduces Your Caloric Needs
The more quality sleep you get, the less time you’re awake and needing energy. Add in how much more efficient the body performs when rested and you won’t find yourself pining for food all day long.
Improves Inflammation
It’s well known that inflammation is at the core of many chronic and serious health conditions. Adequate sleep helps to normalize the inflammatory process and take one more potential negative out of your health puzzle.
Stimulates Recovery
Restorative rest is named appropriately because it’s during this time that body has time and resources to focus on healing and repair.
Boosts Your Stress Adaptability
When you burn the candle at both ends, your body’s stress management systems get taxed making you weak and susceptible.
Is Associated With Longevity
Assuming your enhanced lifespan was at super high quality…who wouldn’t want this massive benefit to sleep!
Increases Athletic Performance
Athletes have known for a long time that plenty of rest prior to training or a competition increases their performance. Professional athlete or not, your performance in all areas of your life are better rested.
Decreases Pain Levels
As sleep decreases, your body’s sensitivity levels go up and that means PAIN. The same stimulus under conditions of sleep deprivation will feel more painful that while rested.
In case you needed more convincing, adequate and quality sleep also positively influences:
- Your Grades
- Decreases Anxiety
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Decreases Your Diabetic Risk
- Leads To Healthier Skin
- Makes You More Productive
- And what I think is the absolute best reason to take rest seriously… it feels AMAZING!
Are you sleeping enough? Why not? What is the primary reason you don’t get the rest you need?
Click below to download our Reboot Your Sleep kit for proven strategies for better sleep.
Dr. Derek Gallant
Dr. Derek Gallant has committed himself to helping others live the best life possible. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Life Chiropractic College West where he finished 2nd in his class. He is the owner of Beverly Family Chiropractic and co-founder of The Well Family Foundation. Dr. Gallant is certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) in the Webster technique, an analysis focused on assisting pregnant women in a healthy pregnancy and natural birth. He has inspired thousands of people to take control of their own health using the Life By Design method. Apart from full time practice you can find Derek at the parks and coffee shops around Beverly with his family, training hard at the gym, or at the beach surfing.
