Why Do We Need Sleep? How to Get Sound Shut-Eye
Sleep is very important for good health and well-being. It is one of the most important needs of your body. Because it is associated with your overall health and proper functioning of your body and mind. It is as important as food and water. No wonder you spend about one-third of your life sleeping.
Sleep is a basic requirement of your body. Without enough sleep, you can’t be good at your personal life, professional life and health. There are so many processes which take place while you sleep. These processes are very important for your health and well-being. So, it is very important to get sufficient quality sleep.
In this article, you will get a close idea of how sleep is essential for your survival. Let’s discuss the different roles of sleep in your life. In this article, you will get to know why we sleep? Or what is the need for sleep.
Energy conservation
According to scientists, sleep is the best way to conserve energy. When you sleep, the burning of calories slows down. This is so because the metabolism gets decreased. Sleep helps you to conserve almost 35% of energy to perform better the next day.
Energy conservation is very necessary for your body and mind. Because sometimes you need extra energy, for that you should sleep well and save energy.
Cellular restoration
Cellular restoration is another important thing which is promoted by good sleep. When you sleep your body allows your cells to repair, regrow and restore. The idea of repairing and restoring cells is promoted by several processes taking place in your body which include:-
· repairing of muscles
· tissue growth
· protein synthesis
· Hormone release
Brain functioning
According to several studies, sleep is very important for your brain to function, especially for your neurons or nerve cells. When you sleep, the clearance of toxic material and negative thoughts from your mind so that you can start fresh and work well.
Moreover, sleep improves your memory, learning skills, problem-solving skills, cognition, and concentration.
Heart health
The exact reasons and facts are not clear yet, but some studies show that sleep is good for your heart health. It means sleep and heart health share a very good relationship.
According to studies, you should sleep for 7–9 hours daily. Getting sleep less than 7 hours badly affects your health in different ways. Lack of sleep increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases which include:-
· high blood pressure
· increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system
· increased inflammation
· increased cortisol levels
· weight gain
· type 2 diabetes
· stroke and heart attack in severe cases
Your sleep cycle consists of four stages of different time durations. For quality sleep, you should complete all four stages. These stages are 3 non-REM sleep cycles and one REM sleep cycle. So, it is very important to get sufficient sleep to complete all four stages of sleep.
Tips for getting Sound Sleep
· Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol during the day to avoid sleep problems at night. Both can delay the release of melatonin in the brain and reduce sleepiness too. Therefore, try to stay away from them at least 3–4 hours before sleep.
· You can try herbal drinks to stay calm and relaxed in life. Herbs are great for stress management and promoting sleepiness at night.
· Following a healthy and fixed sleep cycle to get 7–8 hours of sleep at night, allows the brain to release melatonin on time.
· Block the blue screens in the bedroom and create a dark and calm bedroom environment.
Again, these tips can help you get sufficient sleep at night.
