However, for many people, this is a feeling they can only imagine. The way you feel during the day is a direct result of the amount of sleep you received the night before. Doctors recommend that adults get between 7 and 8 hours each night. There are many things that can affect your sleep or lack of it. If you have trouble falling and staying asleep there are ways to change your current status.
Ways to get sleep
Ultimately, the best way to get the proper amount of rest is to sleep when you feel tired. For many people, this is almost impossible with long work hours and a family with constant demands. Quick naps in a comfy lift chair, on a sofa, or your bed, even if for 15-20 minutes can help you until you are able to actually lie down for the night. It’s also important to eliminate your intake of sugar, caffeine, alcohol and heavy foods at least 3 to 4 hours prior to your bedtime.
Brainpower
Not getting enough sleep can affect your ability to focus, perform regular tasks, solve problems, retain information. When you sleep your brain continues to process information. When you interrupt it, the process ends and only part of what you experienced or learned the prior day is stored away. Getting the proper amount of rest also open the creative door in your mind allowing you to come up with new ideas.
Mental state of mind
When you get enough rest you awake energized, alert and happy. With limited amounts of sleep, you may experience sadness, anxiousness, depression, and become irritated easily. The lack of control over your emotions, as well as your behavior, spills over to work and relationships leaving your co-workers stunned and loved ones upset. It can also make you indecisive, lethargic and make it difficult for you to handle change.
Physical health
When you sleep your body begins to heal and repair vital organs inside your body, as well as your blood vessels. Your body also grows strong and produces muscles mass instead of fat. Not getting the proper rest for a long period of time can take a toll on your health and put you at risk for things you never dreamed of like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and a stroke. It also can play a role in your sudden weight gain or the inability to lose weight. This is because a lack of sleep upsets the delicate balance of hormones in the body. When you sleep less than your body needs your level of the hormone ghrelin goes up. At the same time, your level of leptin goes down. This sends a false signal of hunger to the brain causing you to reach for a snack when you don’t need one. A lack of sleep also raises your blood sugar levels and can hinder your ability to fight off colds due to a weakened immune system. Plus, it reduces your ability to stay committed to your fitness goals.
Your appearance
If you take a look in the mirror after you had a good night’s rest and then do the same when you had trouble sleeping you see two totally different looks. The rested face looks happy and more youthful, whereas the second face appears much older and sad. This is because without the proper amount of sleep your skin cells don’t get to heal and replace themselves. A lack of sleep also creates puffiness around the eyes and dark circles underneath them. Fine lines also become more prominent and are now harder to hide.
Sleep is as important as a proper diet, exercise and sufficient amounts of water. It’s a key piece of the puzzle representing your life. With the recommended amount of sleep, you are not able to perform at your best and your health will show signs of breaking down.
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