Sleep: 5 surprising health outcomes from getting enough rest

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We all know how important sleep is for us, and how a lack of it can lead to the quality of life going down. But it’s not just that we’ll feel sleep deprived, tired, and irritable if we don’t rest well. Sleeping well and having a set routine is something that influences multiple parts of our body, and you’d be surprised at how much better it is when you’re sleeping regularly. Keep reading if you want to learn about some of the less talked about benefits of a healthy sleep schedule. 

5 benefits of a healthy sleep schedule

1. Better in athletics 

Sleeping badly or irregularly may be the worst thing athletes can do for themselves. Your performance in endurance sports like running and swimming will only suffer if you’re not putting your hours in, not only in the gym but also in bed. 

Another thing that can harm your sports career is the wrong bed – and it may be why you’re sleeping wrong. Look around for more info, or ask an expert for help if you think your irregular sleep schedule is affecting your life more than it should. 

2. Weight loss 

Did you know that irregular sleep can mess up your eating habits? Apart from staying up past midnight, getting hungry and snacking when you shouldn’t, it also messes with the hormones in your brain (leptin and ghrelin) that are responsible for hunger. 

You feel less hungry when you’re well-rested, and you’re more likely to avoid eating too much. Being tired and sleep-deprived also means that you’re less likely to move around, which just means more weight gain.

3. Healthier heart 

Your heart is working extra hard pumping blood all over your body while you’re awake, but it has a chance to rest when you sleep. The less sleep you get in a day, the more your heart is working all the time, and an insomniac’s heart might as well be working overtime. 

This doesn’t bode well for people in the long run, especially if you have a history of heart disease and other health conditions in the family. 

4. Rested immune system 

Your body’s immune system is one of the countless things in you that get a break when you finally sleep, but when you don’t get the rest you need, things start going wrong. 

Sleep-deprived people are more likely to fall sick because their immune system has been affected by their poor sleeping habits. 

5. You won’t get diabetes

Your blood sugar levels drop when you’re in the deep sleep part of your sleep cycle, which gives your body a chance to take a break and “reset” itself. 

Not spending enough time in that state means that your body might become unaccustomed to meeting the needs of your cells. This can translate into an insensitivity to insulin and an abundance of blood glucose in your body, which is how people end up developing diabetes. 

Your sleep schedule is one of the most important things in your life. If you keep it consistent and healthy and keep the quality of your sleep up, you’ll be able to lead a better, healthier life. 

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