It is not uncommon to have irregularities in your sleeping patterns, especially when you are working from home. It is easy to lose the track of time and sleep at odd hours when all you do is work, eat, and sleep. But sleep is necessary, and a night of sound sleep is even more important to feel rejuvenated and recharged after working constantly. This is a break that your eyes, mind, and body require to work optimally.
What happens to your body while you sleep?
The human body functions exactly like a computer or a laptop on a sleep mode, it appears switched off but its processes remain active at the back-end. Similarly, it is wrong to assume that your body totally shuts down while you sleep.
Because the truth is that although your eyes are closed and your limbs don’t exactly move, the internal organs of your body are busy carrying out different processes that strengthen and restore good health. It is impossible for the body to complete these tasks if you are not sleeping. So when you miss out on sleeping, you’re actually depriving your body of a lot of goodness!
Sleeping can significantly improve brain function
Much like other internal organs of the body, the human brain is constantly working too. The only time it gets to focus on itself and fix any internal bugs is when we sleep because the rest of the time the brain is busy sending signals and messages to other parts of the body.
While we are asleep, the brain focuses to strengthen memories, renew neuron-to-neuron connections, and transfer information from regions of current memory to regions of backup memory. Everything you learn in a day, the brain absorbs and reinforces it during your sleep. Hence, it helps to master new skills and retain learned knowledge!
Sleeping is key for a youthful appearance
Women are often heard saying that they need their “Beauty Sleep” because it is a known fact that sleep can help to make you look younger and beautiful. While you are sleeping, your body actively produces collagen which is an essential protein needed for the growth of luscious locks and flawless skin! Sleeping at least 7 hours at night can significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, brighten your complexion and get rid of under-eye bags.
Additionally, sleeping can also do great wonders for your hair as sleeping gives your body the time to repair any damages caused to the hair and skin. This is also why skincare products used before bedtime tend to work much better as compared to those used during the day.
Effects on sleep on body weight
A proper sleeping routine is considered just as important as a good diet or workout when trying to lose weight. Poor sleeping patterns have often been linked to an increase in the body mass index (BMI). It has been proved by research that people who sleep less than a minimum of 7 hours in a day are more susceptible to weight gain.
Generally, a lack of sleep can also increase your appetite as you are more likely to reach out for snacks. Scientifically, sleeping less can cause your hunger hormones to go haywire which makes you feel hungry often, as a result your calorie intake also increases. So when you decide to embark on a weight loss journey, don’t forget to sleep to reap maximum benefits!
Sleep to improve concentration span
If you are trying to increase your concentration span then you should definitely start off by sleeping at night for a good few hours without any disturbances. When you are sleep deprived your brain automatically starts to get foggy, and caffeinated drinks do more harm than good. In such circumstances, it is common to experience a lack of focus and alertness.
So ditch yourself the embarrassment of yawning and zoning out at that important meeting, and hit the bed early so you can get at least 7 hours of sleep!
A means of chronic disease prevention
A lack of sleep can also take a toll on your general health and well-being. Current research supports that sleep deprivation can affect your glucose metabolism and increase your risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Poor quality and duration of sleep may also make you more susceptible to chronic heart diseases. Similarly, it is a proven fact that lack of sleep can give rise to cellular inflammation in the body which can lead to tissue damage.
Sleeping can help to avoid depression
The inability to sleep at night can eventually lead to frustration and anxiety. Some individuals even begin to fear night time as their struggle to sleep will start once again. It doesn’t take much time for these feelings to develop into depression. Depression not only affects an individual’s emotions, but it also affects their performance in day-to-day life.
Once it is clinically diagnosed, depression may require proper treatment depending on the severity of the condition. It is very important to change your habits and manage workload to allow adequate time for sleeping. However, if you suspect that your inability to sleep is linked to a sleeping disorder then it’s best to consult a specialist as soon as possible to avoid the onset of simultaneous health conditions.
Sleeping can enhance immunity
A good quality 7 to 8-hour sleep can significantly improve your immune functions. So much so that your body will fight off common cold infections with the need of any additional medications. This is probably why doctors suggest sleeping as much as possible to recover from sickness as your body destroys all the unwanted bacteria and virus cells while you sleep.
