We often hear that eating right and exercising are the keys to a healthy lifestyle. But getting enough sleep is just as equally important.
Getting enough sleep is vital to our overall health and well-being. Most adults should aim to get between seven to eight hours of sound sleep a night to function at their best. Children and teenagers need even more rest to support their growth and development.
How Sleep Deprivation Impacts Us
A lack of sleep can manifest itself in several ways. Because adequate sleep is essential to our immune systems, a lack of rest can make us more vulnerable to catching colds, the flu, and other illnesses. It also can impact our overall cognitive functioning, affecting our concentration and ability to focus. Not getting enough sleep is also associated with mood swings, anxiety, and depression and can be dangerous, especially if we get behind the wheel when we are deprived of sleep.
The Benefits of Sleep
There are many advantages to getting a good night’s rest. You will not only wake up recharged and ready to face the day, but you will experience a variety of health benefits as well.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Research has shown a direct correlation between getting a good night’s sleep and keeping off extra pounds. Several studies support the idea that individuals who are sleep deprived are more likely to crave foods high in sugar, increasing their caloric and fat intake. What’s more, when you get adequate sleep, you are less likely to skip the gym or engage in regular physical activity.
- Staving off heart disease: Getting plenty of zzzs has been shown to strengthen your heart. Sleeping less than seven hours each night has been linked to the prevalence of high blood pressure, resulting in the development of heart disease. A consistent good night’s sleep combined with a balanced diet and physical activity will do wonders for your heart.
- Preventing diabetes: Sleep can help prevent the occurrence of diabetes, a condition in which your body cannot use insulin properly. Numerous studies suggest that prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to inflammation, decreased insulin sensitivity, and hunger hormone changes, all of which can cause type 2 diabetes.
- Supporting a healthy immune system: Proper sleep can help you fight off germs that cause a cold, the flu, or any number of other diseases. When you get plenty of rest, your body can produce infection-fighting antibodies and cells it needs to help ward off infection. If you get sick, a lack of sleep can impact your recovery time.
Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Rest
You can take several steps to make sure you are getting the sleep you need to power through your day. We offer these suggestions:
- Go to bed at the same time and get up the same time every day, even on the weekends.
- Keep your bedroom’s temperature is well-regulated
- Invest in a comfortable mattress, sheets, and pillows
- Avoid using cell phones or other electronic devices before bedtime.
- Don’t exercise right before you go to bed; instead, schedule your routine to work out in the morning or sometime else during the day.
- Limit the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, or eating large meals right before bedtime.
If you or a loved one is having trouble getting the sleep they need, make sure to tell your doctor. Your doctor can work with you to determine the root cause of your sleeping disorder.
Community First ER is here for you
If you experience health issues related to the lack of sleep, Community First Emergency Room will be here for you. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are accepted. Our team has access to sophisticated imaging equipment, including X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound, with fast same-day results so we can quickly evaluate the extent of your injury. You will experience little to no wait times to receive our personalized, compassionate, and concierge-level services. Our board-certified physicians and registered nurses will treat you or your loved one like family, making your health and peace of mind a top priority. We are here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
About Community First ER
Emergency health care is a critical resource. Our commitment is to provide a personal, transparent, and concierge-driven emergency health care experience to our community members. Locally owned and operated by health care providers and partners we trust, we strive to support and create meaningful relationships with those around us. We exist to put your health and wellness first. For more information, visit our website at https://communityfirster.com/ and engage with us on social media.