Although sleep is one of the basic human needs, we often don’t pay the right amount of attention to it. Of course, all of us sleep at night, but most of us simply don’t get enough rest. If we want to be well-rested and full of energy in the morning, we should get at least 7 hours of shut-eye. Unfortunately, many people sleep between 4 and 5 hours at night because of various reasons. If something like this happens rarely, it is understandable and can happen to anyone. However, if sleeping only a few hours per night becomes our habit, it can have an adverse impact on our health.
Some people can find it very difficult to get out of the bed in the morning after having only 4 hours of rest, while others can jump out of bed, drink a cup of coffee and feel completely normal. No matter how successfully you can put up with sleep deprivation, and how much you are used to it, it doesn’t mean that it is healthy. Even if you are used to being deprived of rest, it doesn’t mean that something like this won’t have a negative impact on your well-being. Getting an adequate amount of rest at night is the key to being healthy, and it provides numerous health benefits.
1. Sleep Decreases the Risk of Diabetes
Many people all over the world have diabetes. To be clear, rest deprivation alone won’t result in the development of diabetes. However, it is a significant contributing factor. It is critical to be aware that our bodies need rest so that they can process insulin properly. When we are deprived of sleep, the production of this hormone in the body is affected. As a result, not getting enough shut-eye at night can have a negative effect on our blood sugar levels. Something like this can take a toll on our health if it continues for a prolonged period, and it can increase our chances of developing diabetes at some point in our life. Sleeping less than 6 hours per night is associated with the higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. Sleep Controls Your Weight
If you want to maintain your current weight, it would be the best idea to start focusing on getting a decent amount of rest at night. Sleep deprivation is associated with the increased risk of weight gain in more than one way. For example, it can have an adverse impact on the production of hormones that control hunger. If you don’t get enough rest, the levels of hormone leptin will drop, and as a result, you will crave high-calorie and high-fat foods. Besides indulging in unhealthy foods, and overeating, you will also be less prone to exercising. It is not easy to engage in physical activity, especially a high-intensity one, if you don’t get enough rest. When we lack sleep, we tend to feel tired the entire day, and in these situations, the last thing we want is to exercise. Most of us just look forward to sitting on the couch and watching the television when we are tired. On the other hand, if we get enough shut-eye, not only we eat healthily and in reasonable amounts, but we also have enough energy to work out.
3. Sleep Keeps Your Blood Pressure Under Control
Cardiovascular diseases can be very serious and have severe consequences, and you should do everything in your power to prevent them. Eating healthy foods and exercising on a regular basis is an excellent way to go. However, there is something else that you can do for your well-being, and it is to sleep adequately at night. People who don’t rest properly are more likely to develop high blood pressure compared to those who get at least 7 hours of sleep. High blood pressure can contribute to the development of various chronic diseases, and put your health at risk. If you want to avoid health issues, you need to rest adequately. The quality of sleep is also essential. In case you have troubles meeting your rest goals, you should consider getting a more comfortable pillow and replacing your old mattress with a new model. Removing all electronic devices from your bedroom will also do the trick, and so will making sure that the room you sleep in is dark and free of noise.