7 health benefits of sleep

Introduction

We all know that we should be getting enough sleep, but as with so many other things in life, knowledge isn't always enough. Here are seven health benefits of sleeping better:

Sleep helps you make muscles.

It's no secret that sleep helps you to build muscles. When you're asleep, your body repairs muscles and grows new ones. But how does it do this?

The answer lies in the growth hormone (GH), which is released by the pituitary gland when we sleep. GH is responsible for muscle growth, but it also plays an important role in other areas of our health--including maintaining healthy bones and organs as well as improving brain function. So if you want to get the most out of your workouts, make sure that you get enough quality zzzz's!

Sleep can boost your immune system.

Sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to getting sick. Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of catching colds and the flu, as well as other infections such as pneumonia. In fact, one study found that people who get less than six hours of sleep per night have three times the risk of developing colds than those who get seven-to-eight hours of shut-eye each night.

In addition to increasing your susceptibility to infection, lack of sleep also compromises your immune system by reducing its ability to fight off disease--and this effect may be more pronounced in older adults than younger people. A lack of sleep can also increase inflammation throughout your body (a process that helps fight off infection), making it harder for your body's defenses against illness and disease during times when they're already compromised by a lack of restful slumber!

Sleep reduces stress and anxiety.

It's no secret that sleep helps you to relax and unwind, but did you know that it can also help reduce stress? When you're stressed out, your body releases cortisol--a hormone that increases blood pressure and heart rate. In addition to these physical changes, being stressed can also cause mood swings and irritability.

By getting adequate rest each night (7-9 hours for most adults), you'll have more energy throughout the day which will make dealing with stressful situations easier on both an emotional level as well as a physical one. In fact, studies have shown that people who get enough sleep experience less anxiety than those who don't!

Sleep clears your head of toxins that build up during the day.

You might think that sleep is a time to relax, but it's also an important part of your body's natural detoxification process. During sleep, your brain and body release toxins that build up during the day. This can include substances like excess glucose and fatty acids, as well as byproducts of cellular waste.

Toxins like these can cause inflammation in the body if they're not properly removed; this can lead to disease over time if left untreated. But when you get enough good quality sleep each night, you'll wake up feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes your way!

Sleep improves memory and concentration.

Getting enough sleep also improves your brain function and essentially makes you smarter!

Sleep helps improve concentration and focus on the tasks at hand. After a good night's sleep, you'll be more alert and able to concentrate on whatever task is at hand--whether it's making breakfast or studying for an exam--without getting distracted by outside noises or thoughts that might otherwise keep cropping up in your mind.

Sleep can help you lose weight.

Sleep is an important part of weight loss. Not only does it help you control your appetite, but sleep deprivation can actually cause weight gain.

As we age, our bodies produce more cortisol and less melatonin--two chemicals that regulate metabolism and appetite. This means that as we get older, it's easier for us to put on extra pounds due to changes in how our bodies regulate our energy levels throughout the day.

When we don't get enough sleep (or if we're chronically underslept), our bodies produce more cortisol than normal. Cortisol helps us manage stress by increasing blood sugar levels so that we have energy available when faced with danger or stressful situations. However, too much cortisol can lead to weight gain because this hormone increases hunger pangs for sugary foods which then increase cravings for high-calorie comfort foods like ice cream or pizza.

Sleep makes you happier.

Sleep is a time to relax and recharge, but it's also important for your mood. Getting enough sleep can help improve your mood and reduce stress, which in turn can make you feel happier. And if you've ever had a sleepless night due to anxiety or stress, then you know that not getting enough sleep can make even the simplest tasks seem overwhelming--and your ability to deal with those situations decreases as well!

There are many different ways to improve your sleep quality, including changing what you eat and doing some light exercise before bedtime. But if you have anxiety or stress that's keeping you awake at night, then meditation is a great way to relax and let go of those feelings.

Conclusion

Sleep is important to your health and well-being. It helps you feel refreshed and alert during the day, helps you remember what happened during the previous day (so you can learn new things), and gives your body a chance to repair tissue damage caused by stressors like pollution or physical trauma.

So don't skimp on shut-eye--make sure that you're getting enough sleep each night so that all these benefits can be yours too. And with the help of modern science, you can get quality rest with help of supplements like melatonin and 5-HTP. Keen to learn more? Explore our range of supplements here.