Many of us are health-conscious, focusing on eating well, running a couple of miles daily, and trying to manage stress. Yet, we often overlook a crucial part of a healthy life: getting better sleep! Improving your sleep can have significant benefits for brain function and your immune system. Here’s what recent science reveals about the importance of better sleep and how much you need.
A study from the Endocrine Society found that missing just 30 minutes of sleep each night can have long-term effects on weight. Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients who missed at least 30 minutes of sleep per day were 72% more likely to be obese compared to those without a sleep deficit.
In a similar vein, the American Heart Association surveyed over 47,000 young to middle-aged adults and found that those who sleep 5 or fewer hours per night had 50% more coronary artery calcium than those who slept 7 hours. Interestingly, those who slept 9 or more hours had 70% more coronary calcium than the 7-hour sleepers. Poor sleep quality also led to 20% more coronary calcium compared to those who reported good quality sleep.
Research from eLife suggests that pulling all-nighters might actually hinder your ability to remember information. Studies on flies indicate that our brains might inhibit wakefulness to consolidate memories, suggesting you need sleep to retain what you’ve learned. While more research is needed on humans, it’s clear that sleep plays a vital role in memory.
According to research published in the journal SLEEP, people who get 6 or fewer hours of sleep each night are four times more likely to catch a common cold when exposed to the virus. This highlights the impact of sleep on both cognitive and physical health.
Loyola University provided updated guidelines on the amount of sleep needed across different age groups, acknowledging that while much about sleep remains a mystery, its importance for memory consolidation and overall restoration is undeniable.
In summary, you might want to consider making sleep a priority if you’re aiming to improve your health. Whether it’s for your cardiovascular health or maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep is essential. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night, alongside eating healthy, running daily, and managing stress. Your body will thank you!
