Amazing Benefits of Sleep: Why Your Nap Time Is Extremely Important?

In this article, we discuss the benefits of sleep that can make you hit the sack early every night.

Sleep plays an important role in overall well-being and helps reduce stress. While sleeping, the body performs various repair mechanisms and maintenance activities.

Sleep also helps support growth and development in children and teens. In fact, it’s just as important as eating a nutritious diet and exercising. Most adults require between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Studies have found that 35% of adults in the United States don’t get enough sleep.

Read on to find out the evidence-based benefits of sleep and how to get enough sleep for weight loss.

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Why Is Sleep Important?

Research over the past decade has indicated that sleep disturbances can increase risk of infectious diseases and the occurrence of major illnesses, including heart attacks and cancer.

It was also found that inadequate sleep can induce depression. The biological mechanisms of sleep are being studied extensively using various animal models and human clinical trials.

Recent studies have recorded the benefits of sleep on adaptive and innate immunity. Sleep disturbances, sleep restrictions, and insomnia can reduce antiviral immune responses, increasing risk of pathogenic diseases. Inadequate sleep can also hamper DNA repair mechanisms that prevent cancers.

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Benefits of Napping

Sleeping reduces stress and anxiety. (Image via Unsplash/Elisa Ventur)

Napping for a short duration of time has many benefits. The most common benefits of sleeping include:

• Get sick less by improving immunity
• Stay at a healthy weight by balancing hormones
• Lower risk for lifestyle disorders, like diabetes and heart disease
• Reduce stress and improve mood throughout the day
• Concentrate at work or school
• Feel better while socializing
• Help you do your tasks with alertness

The body follows a biological clock known as circadian rhythm. The brain adjusts according to sunlight and darkness with the help of various hormones, including melatonin. Several factors can cause sleep disorders, including:

• Stress or anxiety
• Pain and inflammation
• Health conditions, like heartburn or asthma
• Certain medications
• Caffeine (usually from coffee, tea, and caffeinated beverages)
• Alcohol and other drugs
• Chronic sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or insomnia

Common signs of chronic sleep disorders include:

• Trouble falling or staying asleep, especially during stress
• Waking up groggy and feeling tired
• Sleepiness during the day, especially while working or driving
• Snoring
• Breathing difficulties
• Fatigue and lethargy

Sleep and mental health are intertwined, and the benefits of sleep include improved mental cognition.

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Benefits of Sleeping and Weight Loss

Sleeping can improve mental health, (Image via Unsplash/Nik Shuliahin)

Quality sleep can improve hormone balance and reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone associated with visceral fat gain in the abdominal area.

Sleeping can also boost metabolism, resulting in weight loss. Keep in mind the benefits of sleep as discussed above, and get to bed early. If you experience chronic sleeplessness, consult a medical professional to treat any underlying sleep disorders.