The Benefits of Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

How much difference does an extra hour of sleep make to your life? Potentially quite a lot, according to sleep experts.

Various studies suggest that getting too little sleep may be directly impacting your health, weight and even memory! If you’re regularly sleeping short of the recommended seven to eight hours, then here are four key reasons for putting your phone down, turning off the lights and going to bed an hour earlier.

Improved Health

Getting your eight hours won’t guarantee immunity from disease, but various studies have linked insufficient sleep to some serious health problems; such as heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity.

In most cases, health problems only tend to develop after years of sleep abuse. However, one study found problematic alterations to blood glucose levels in young healthy adults – which qualified as pre-diabetic – after just four days of simulated disturbed sleep!

Whilst more research needs to be conducted on the topic, there is a clear indication surrounding the dangers of prolonged sleep abuse.

Clearer Head and Positive Attitude

Sleep loss can affect how you function, it impairs your cognition and ability to make decisions. Various studies have shown that sleep-deprived individuals are substantially worse at problem solving – compared to when they are well rested.

Along with a fuzzy head, lack of sleep can seriously affect your mood. If you’re ever cranky in the morning, it is usually your body telling you that you haven’t had enough sleep. Research has shown that lack of sleep affects your emotional regulation – meaning you’re more likely to snap or experience mood swings.

Weight Control

Various studies have linked sleep loss to increase weight gain due to two key reasons:

• Behavioural: being overtired makes you less likely to have the energy to go to the gym after work, or cook a healthy dinner with fresh ingredients.

• Physiological: The hormone leptin helps regulate how full you feel; leptin hormone levels drop with lack of sleep – meaning you are more likely to be hungrier, and opt for more high-calorie and high-fat foods.

Improved Memory

Forgetting small tasks that need completing or important details at work? Sleep loss could be to blame.

Sleeping allows our brains to consolidate memories from the day. If you’re missing out on sleep, then these memories aren’t being stored correctly, and could even be lost. Getting seven to eight hours sleep also decreases the chances of creating false memories.

Bedding

Whilst a comfy duvet and pillow can’t make you get your eight hours sleep, the thought of knowing just how comfy your bed is may encourage you to get into it earlier.

If you’re looking for a new pillow or duvet, our range of quality bedding could be just what you need. We stock a variety of quality brands, and you can even search based on your preferred sleeping position!