One Sheep, Two Sheep, Three….
Sleep. It’s a beautiful thing.
Many of us take it for granted… and most of us don’t truly appreciate it until we are deprived of it.
Sleep isn’t just happy dreams, a cure for headaches, or a way to escape the worries of the world for a bit. Sleep brings endless benefits to the body and mind, until you are woken up by an alarm clock that sounds like a nuclear bomb is about to drop!
**EHR!! EHR!!! EHRR!!! EHHHRRRRRR!!!!!**
Ugh, it’s time to go back to reality again…
How Sleep Affects the Mind
New research shows that sleep allows the body to remove harmful toxins from the brain which may be linked to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Memories are also formed and new information is stored while the mind is in a sleep state.
Harvard researchers have discovered that people seem to strengthen emotional components of memory during sleep, which may result in boosting creativity. If you are trying to learn something new or have been practicing for something… when you go to sleep, your brain continues to try and learn it better… resulting in performing whatever that may be, upon wakening, better.
Sleep makes us happy.
When we get enough of it, it improves mental clarity and mood which are important to stay calm, relaxed, and happy throughout your daily lives!
How Sleep Affects the Body
When the body sleeps is when all the important things happen to it such a recovery and repair among countless out things!
Research at the University of Chicago shows that, the more, well rested you are the more body fat you will lose and muscle you will retain.
Sleep and metabolism are controlled by the same part of the brain; what this means is that when you get tired, certain hormones increase in your blood, those same hormones also increase appetite. So the more sleep you get the more likely you are to keep those food cravings at bay.
Stanford studies have found that athletes who slept for an average of 10 hours per night for 7-8 weeks made improvements in their sprint times, increased their stamina, and showed lower levels of daytime fatigue.
There is also a direct link to sleep reducing stress levels which in turn can better control your blood pressure. It is also believed that sleep can affect cholesterol levels, which can play a role in heart disease.
All of that sounds great… but let’s be honest… the dreaded raccoon eyes is what matters the most right? Hah!
Side Effects and Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation
Lack of sleep impairs reasoning, learning, attention to detail, problem solving, decision making, and reaction time, as well as other things.
Research shows that people who got less than six hours of sleep per night had higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins than those who got more than six hours of sleep. Inflammation is linked to stroke, arthritis, heart attack, diabetes, and premature aging.
As adults, if we don’t get at least 8 hours of sleep then we feel drowsy, tired, and worn down; kids on the other hand have an opposing affect and are more likely to be inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive.
Inadequate sleep can also be a contributor to depression, increased anxiety, and emotional instability. You will start to experience symptoms of sleep deprivation at approx. 24 hours and can lead to several problems including: cognitive deficiencies, speech and memory problems, lack of focus and concentration, deficits in perception, disorientations, blackouts, hallucinations, and death.
Some of these things can be experienced by the person without them ever being aware that they are happening.
Sleep cannot be “made up” on your days off… it’s all about finding a balance and getting enough sleep on a daily basis to be the best “you” possible!
So how much is enough?
Well the best estimates for ideal sleep are anywhere from 7-9 hours per night. If you are highly active and physically demanding of your body then I would suggest an extra hour for you!
Of course, every person is different and is going to react differently so you have to find what works best for you. Nothing less than 7 hours per night to be an optimally functioning machine though!
Ultimately, many things that we take for granted are affected by sleep or lack thereof. The quality of your sleep affects the quality of your life. If you sleep better, you live better!
To demand the most of your body, you must know your body!
In Fitness and Health,
Richard Berrian
Personal Trainer
#gunslikerich
