New Delhi: A good night of sleep is equally as important as a nutritional diet and regular exercise for your health. However, due to hectic work and school schedules, many people have been getting less sleep than ever before. Check out these top 5 reasons why sleep is important for your health:
- Sleep Can Boost Your Immune System
When your body gets the sleep it needs, your immune cells and proteins get the rest they need to fight off whatever comes their way — like colds or the flu.
- Sleep Can Strengthen Your Heart
Not getting enough sleep can lead to heart health problems like high blood pressure or heart attacks. That’s because lack of sleep can cause your body to release cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers your heart to work harder. Just like your immune system, your heart needs rest in order to function powerfully and properly. Just another reason to “heart” sleep.
- Sleep Improves Memory
Even though sleep gives your body the rest it needs, your mind is still hard at work. It’s actually processing and consolidating your memories from the day. If you don’t get enough sleep, who knows where those memories go? Or worse, your mind might actually create false memories.
- Improved Concentration and Productivity
Another reason why sleep is important for your health is because it helps to improve your brain health! A good night of sleep can maximize concentration, problem-solving skills and productivity, while poor sleep has been shown to impair brain function. A short night of sleep can negatively impact some aspects of your brain function to the same degree as alcohol intoxication.