Top 10 Benefits of Getting More Sleep

How are you doing on those New Year’s Resolutions? If you are like most of us, sticking to resolutions (especially if your list is long) can be a problem. This year, instead of trying to tackle a list you may never finish, why not make one resolution that will naturally benefit many others? Just one little item on that list is all it takes. That’s not so hard right?

Of course, that one thing we’re talking about sleep—and sleep, often being the thing that suffers most when life gets in the way, is also one of the most beneficial towards overall health and wellbeing when you make it a priority.

So this year, resolve to get more sleep. This year, make your night’s count with enough rest to benefit your day. What can it do? Take a look at 10 healthy benefits of getting a good night’s sleep.

Think Smarter

Getting a good night’s sleep makes you more alert and improves cognitive functions on all levels.  

Stress Less

When your body is sleep deprived, it goes into a state of stress with increased blood pressure and higher levels of stress hormones. Getting enough sleep ensures stress levels remain balanced, which keeps those hormones in check.  

Live Longer

Studies show people who regularly get at least seven hours of sleep per night live years longer than those that don’t.

Be Happier

Getting between seven and nine hours of sleep per night boosts your serotonin levels and helps promote peace-of-mind and feelings of wellbeing.

Remember More

When you sleep, your brain goes through a system called Memory Consolidation, which helps process your day, make connections and contextualize events, and deepen the sensory input to form lasting memories.

Look Better

Sleep is when your body makes repairs, builds protein, and regenerate cells—so you look healthier and more attractive.

Banish Pain

A good night’s sleep is one of nature’s best pain remedies so if you have chronic pain or pain from a recent injury, getting enough sleep is essential.

Manage Weight  

The hormone leptin, which plays a key role in regulating your appetite, drops drastically with too little sleep and causes overeating. Keeping leptin levels high with a good night’s rest can help you control, and even lose weight.

Boost Immunity

Sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on how well your immune system functions. Make sure your body’s natural defense against cold and flu season is in top shape with adequate sleep. 

Reduce Risk

While the occasional sleep-deprived night won’t do much damage, study after study has found a link between a prolonged lack of enough sleep and some serious health problems, such as heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity. Sleep reduces the level of inflammation in your body, which helps decrease your risk for these health conditions.

Knowing sleep is good for you, and resolving to get more of it this year is a good thing. But putting it into practice can be tough. Need some guidance on how to fit in more snooze time? Here are some easy tips and tricks to help you get a better night’s sleep.