We’ve all been there when your alarm goes off after a restless night’s sleep and you just about manage to drag yourself out of bed. The rest of the day you're left feeling tired, perhaps irritable and unable to concentrate; leaving you reaching for a caffeine filled pick me up more often than you should!
Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to both our physical health and emotional well-being. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of good quality sleep every night to feel rested and re-charged for the next day. So, maximising your snooze time is important because it enables the body to repair. See our top 10 benefits below.
If it’s been a while since you upgraded your bed, it might be time to spruce things up to aid a restful sleep. Even if you don’t need to replace your mattress just yet, swapping out your bedding set such as your sheets, pillows and duvet can make all the difference for a good night's sleep. The Binky London Bedding is one our favourites.
Adding an electric blanket or a soft throw can also add additional comfort to aid a restful sleep. These little tips and added extras can make your environment all that bit more comfortable.
Remember when shopping for pillows and cushions, always keep your sleep position in mind because your head, neck and spine should be aligned, no unnecessary head tilting. Pillows for side sleepers should be thick and firm whilst pillows for stomach sleepers should be softer and thinner.
Sleep benefits include:
1. Better productivity and concentration
Sleep deprivation can significantly impact concentration, productivity, and cognition. Research shows getting enough sleep can help you to focus and aid attention, both of which are important for learning functions such as memory, problem solving, creativity, emotional processing and judgement.
2. Sleep helps your body to repair itself
Getting a good night’s rest is not just for when you’re feeling run down. Did you know the body repairs itself at night? While you’re sleeping your body is producing extra protein molecules that can strengthen your ability to help fight infection and allow the body to repair, regenerate and recover.
3. Lower your blood pressure and risk of heart disease
High blood pressure can increase your chances of a whole host of medical problems including heart attacks. However, getting plenty of sleep can help relax your body and lower your blood pressure and risk of other health problems.
4. Reduce Stress
A lack of sleep can elevate stress hormones and increase levels of anxiety. Ensuring you get enough sleep can help you feel calmer and alleviate stress as can regularly exercising and maintaining a healthy support system with family and friends.
5. Improve your memory
Have you ever noticed that when you’re really tried you tend to forget things? This is your brains way of telling you you’re not getting enough sleep. When you maintain healthy sleep patterns, your body is resting but your brain is busy organising and sorting memories. So getting a better quality of sleep will help you process and remember things better.
6. Improve your mood
Feeling tired due to a lack of sleep can make you feel more agitated and irritable. A good night’s sleep can help you stay calm and in-control.
7. Reduce your chance of diabetes
There are a number of studies and research which show not getting enough sleep can contribute to type 2 diabetes by affecting how the body processes glucose. Highlighting just how important it is to maintain healthy sleep patterns.
8. Help reduce inflammation
Who knew a lack of sleep can contribute to inflammation in the body? Inflammation is our bodies natural response to foods we eat, lifestyles we lead and injuries. Getting consistent levels of sleep and rest a night can help reduce inflammation within the body linked to digestive conditions and other medical conditions.
9. Help maintain a healthy weight
More sleep = weight loss, then sign me up!!! Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes when it comes to losing weight (good old fashioned healthy diet and exercise are still the weight loss heroes) but getting enough sleep can help regulate the hormones that control your appetite and reduce cravings for junk food and sugary foods (full of unwanted calories). A number of studies have shown good sleepers tend to eat fewer calories.
10. Improve your skin
Did your know during sleep, your skin's blood flow increases, rebuilds collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure, reducing wrinkles, age spots and dark bags under your eyes? They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing. So getting 40 winks is a must for gorgeous skin!
Remember, getting a better sleep means a better you, so never underestimate the value of a good night’s rest.