Do not insist on keeping yourself awake

Do you know the benefits of sleep? Fit all the needs of your body and you’ll only find perks.

Sleep is not a biological whim. It is a very specific need, although the reason why it happens is not yet precisely known, the benefits are well discriminated. Sleep is part of our lives, during our time alive it is estimated that we spend nearly a third of it sleeping, and cannot be neglected.

People say that “the early bird catches the worm”, and it is accurate. Sleep should be seen as a regenerative function of our well-being. Therefore, the right sleeping hours have the power to enhance mood, cognitive abilities, especially memory and concentration, as well as increasing life expectancy. Although it has not yet been uncovered, scientists have documented this tendency: people who sleep better, live longer and with higher quality of life. In cases of people who suffer from chronic pain, it is proven that it decreases after a good night of sleep. There’s even some who support that those who sleep better have a more active and satisfying sex life.

Sleeping a lot of time does not necessarily mean to sleep well, and vice-versa. Experts say that the ideal is to spend between seven and nine hours in bed, although there are reports of who can sleep less without this having any negative effect on their well-being.

When someone has a short or bad night sleep, results can be harmful. We lose control over our weight, it increases the risk of heart disease and it weakens the immune system.

There is also a direct relationship between lack of sleep and diabetes, depression and stress. On the other hand, and we are much less awake, we run the risk of losing concentration more easily and, in the long run, contribute to contracting Alzheimer’s. In short term, lack of sleep may be even more dangerous: being sleepy and driving jeopardizes our own lives and those of others.

You know it: sleep more, sleep better!