Want to Live Longer? Get More Sleep
Most of us know that not getting enough sleep can wreak havoc on your mood and your ability to think clearly. But what you may not know is exactly how much damage it does to your mind and your body over the course of your life. Studies indicate that getting the proper amount of sleep is absolutely essential for your physical and psychological well-being, which is likely the reason it adds years to your life. Here are a few of the specific benefits of proper sleep patterns.
Sleep may help prevent cancer
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “disruptions in the body’s ‘biological clock,’ which controls sleep and thousands of other functions, may raise the odds of cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate.” People who work night shifts, they believe, are especially susceptible because years of artificial light exposure may reduce their bodies’ ability to produce melatonin. The reduction in this hormone can be linked to these types of cancer growth.
The institute also insists that sleep is just as important for people who already have cancer. They say because patients have a hard time falling and staying asleep during the time of treatment, they are prone to problems such as depression and anxiety. These effects can exacerbate their already complicated symptoms. If you feel that you are not getting the proper amount of sleep, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a sleep disorders institute so that you can seek treatment.
Sleep helps alleviate mental illness
Mental wellness is one key to a long life because it decreases the risk of of events such as heart attacks and suicide. And studies show that sleep and mental health are tightly intertwined. Harvard research indicates that sleep deprivation may increase the risk of some psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. The reason for this, they claim, is the interrupted sleep patterns someone who doesn’t get enough sleep experiences. When your deep sleep cycles are disrupted, it affects your hormone levels and your brain’s ability to regulate emotion, which both contribute to poor mental health.
To add to this, that anxiety and other mental illnesses can also cause sleep disorders, which in turn make the issues worse. It can be a never-ending cycle if you can’t find a way to control both factors. If you find you have trouble sleeping because of anxiety, you can take a number of natural measures to alleviate these feelings. For example, some people use yoga and meditation as a means to relax. Or you might find legal forms of marijuana, such as hemp or CBD oil helpful. You can find these in legalized states at places such as hemp farms in Colorado.
Sleep can help you lose weight
Obesity is widely known to increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. But what if we told you that sleep could actually help you achieve a healthy weight? In studies reported of men and women who were sleep deprived for a night, cravings for unhealthy foods seemed to be stronger than in the people who got a full eight hours. This could be attributed to the brain’s inability to make good choices after sleep deprivation. Additionally, your body actually burns calories during certain cycles of sleep, helping you drop fat while doing nothing.
These sleep patterns include deep cycles when your body’s cells regenerate, your learning processes are enhanced, and your immune system is boosted. So, making sure you get enough of it will help your body function properly and possibly prolong your life.