By Opeyemi Babarinde
Sleep means the natural, easily reversible, periodic state of many living things that is marked by the absence of wakefulness and by the loss of consciousness of one’s surroundings. Did you know that nearly one third of adults don’t get enough sleep regularly? Sleep is a fundamental component of overall health, influencing everything from cognitive function to physical health. Sleep is a complex biological process that involves various stages to including REM and non-REM sleep. During sleep our bodies undergo cell repair, memory consolidation and hormone regulation, making it essential for maintaining overall health.
1. It strengthens your heart: During sleep,your body releases hormones. Some of them keep your heart and body vessels healthy. Lack of sleep deprives you of these hormones and gives high blood pressure, worse heart fincy, overtime, heart disease.
2. It regulates your blood sugar: Sleep helps regulate your metabolism. That’s the way your body converts food to engery. Lack of sleep can cause many problems with metabolism, including fluctuating blood sugar levels. Blood sugar affect your mood, energy levels and mental function.
3. It reduces your stress levels: Sleep helps your mind and body relax and recover from your day. Lack of sleep can make you react in ways that are not productive. A poor sleep can make you feel anxious.
4. It helps maintain a healthy weight: Research suggest that people less are more likely to be overweight or obese.
5. It increases your energy and alertness: A good night sleep makes you feel energized and alert. This helps you focus and get things done. When you have enough rest to be engaged and active through out the day, make you feel good and energetic.
6. It improves your memory: sleep appears to play a big role in what’s called memory consolidation. During sleep, your brain makes connections. It links events, feelings and sensory input to form memories.
Lack of sleep stress your memory and even makes you forget things easily and you get headache trying to remember. Getting adequate sleep-seven to nine hours a night, keeps your heart healthy, reduces stress and helps keep blood sugar consistent. It allows you to exercise, work, learn, socialize and do all the things you enjoy.