3 Reasons Quality Sleep Is Essential To Your Health

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Out of all the things your body does every day, sleeping is one of the most important. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the quality of sleep they should. Do you? If not, remember that your overall health depends on getting consistently good sleep. Without it, you’re putting your health in jeopardy. While you might not have thought about it this way, now’s a good time to change your understanding of it. A good night’s sleep leaves you looking and feeling refreshed, but are you familiar with its other benefits? Do you know what the signs your body might be sending you mean? Here are three reasons a good night’s sleep each night is essential to your health.

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It helps strengthen your immune system and its response

One of the most important health benefits of quality sleep is how much your immune system gains from it. And since your immunity is incredibly important to your health, do whatever you can to keep it in top-notch condition. In this case, that’s getting plenty of shut eye. And to get the best night’s sleep possible, ensuring you create the perfect sleep environment is a must. This could be done by investigating different types of mattresses, exploring aromatherapy, or adjusting the temperature of your bedroom. These will all help you drift off to sleep, allowing your immune system to get right to the work of supercharging its T cells.

It helps improve and maintain cardiovascular health

Did you know that routinely poor sleep can lead to cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and heart disease? While this shouldn’t be considered the case for a poor night’s sleep here and there, it’s a real possibility for anyone experiencing them regularly. During a healthy sleep cycle, both blood pressure and heart rate lower, creating the perfect environment for your heart to rest and recuperate. When you aren’t truly resting, your cardiovascular system misses out on the rest it needs. In addition to your heart health, quality sleep is also very helpful in losing weight and keeping it off. And since your weight goes hand-in-hand with heart health, paying attention to this is paramount. When your sleep isn’t consistent, weight gain (or difficulty losing it) can be an indicator of hormonal imbalance. (Hello, late-night snacking).

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It can help balance your mental wellness

Another one of the most common consequences of poor sleep is a decline in mental health or the exacerbation of existing mental health conditions. Depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder are common and are managed in many ways. However, it’s important to note that even when they’re being treated, lack of sleep can have a very detrimental impact on treatment. This is a tricky subject because it’s also common for these conditions to make getting a good night’s sleep difficult. Finding a system that works for you is essential and since everyone is different, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Chat with your doctor to discuss any concerns and try different things before bedtime to help you wind down, such as intentional breathing, yoga, meditation and reduced exposure to blue light. Also, consider cutting out caffeinated beverages earlier on in the day.

There’s no doubt that it can be a challenge to get proper sleep each night, especially when you’re dealing with a demanding job, children, or other everyday stresses. However, adjusting your routines and reevaluating your priorities should be non-negotiable and can go a long way in improving your sleep.

It’s worth noting that this might take some time and practice, as all changes to routine tend to do. What’s important here is to remember that your health depends on it and that sleep is so much more than just closing your eyes for a few hours. It’s an opportunity each night to reset, heal and revive your body and mind. It’s one of the kindest things you can do for yourself, and for those who love you as well.