5 REASONS YOU SHOULD SLEEP MORE IN A BUSY WORLD LIKE OURS WHERE EVERY MINUTE COUNTS, WE OFTEN PRIORITIZE WORKING, SOCIALIZING, EXERCISE, AND EVEN EATING WELL BEFORE WE EVEN THINK ABOUT SLEEP. SOME PEOPLE EVEN GO AS FAR TO LIVE BY THE MANTRA "I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD." IT CAN HELP YOU HAVE HEALTHIER EATING HABITS • Studies from Berkeley have shown that lack of sleep can lead to junk food cravings, so sneaking in that extra hour of rest can help keep your body craving the right nutrients it needs. • Not sleeping well can also lead to overeating, so getting that much needed shuteye can help you avoid eating more than your body needs. • "Lack of sleep causes an appetite stimulating hormone called ghrelin to be produced in excess," Rosenberg tells me in an email. IT BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNITY • You can load up on all the vitamin C and chicken soup you want, but if you aren't getting enough sleep at night, you are much more likely to get sick. • "Several studies have demonstrated that sleep deprivation inhibits our immune system. • In fact antibody responses to vaccination are inhibited when we do not get enough sleep," says Rosenberg. • Adults need about seven hours of sleep to keep their immune system up, so if you can get in an extra hour closer to that, you'll likely be calling in for less sick days. YOUR MOOD WILL IMPROVE • Sleep-deprived people tend to react more negatively to situations, and they also experience more anxiety. • "This appears to be due to the fact that lack of sleep causes the emotion center of the brain called the amygdala to become hyperactive," says Rosenberg. • Getting more sleep can not only help you feel more cheery in the moment, but it can also help lower your risk of depression. INCREASE YOUR FOCUS • "[If you get an extra hour of sleep] you will be more alert and better able to concentrate," says Rosenberg. • A well-rested person can not only remember more things later on, but they're also better able to focus their attention optimally in the moment. • Additionally, memories are solidified while you sleep, so if you aren't getting some rest, it can affect your ability to access these memories later — a major reason why all-nighters aren't that effective. YOUR SKIN WILL IMPROVE • "Chronic sleep deprivation actually causes inflammation and dehydration of the skin," says Rosenberg. • Getting too little sleep can increase cortisol levels in your body, which can not only affect stress, but inflammation in the skin that can lead to acne or psoriasis. THANK YOU! CHRISTOPHER.CHAFTON@USM.EDU SOURCES • https://www.bustle.com/p/74-glorious-products-on-amazon-that-are-under-10-16440357 • https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/power-down-better-sleep#1
