As more and more people take up a ‘side hustle’, the number of adults failing to get a peaceful nights rest and maintain a healthy sleeping schedule is thought to be on the rise more than ever. Sacrificing sleep may not present any issues at first, however the days soon turn into weeks and pretty soon people find themselves reliant on an afternoon nap to get through the day. Read on as we go over 3 benefits of maintaining a healthy and balanced sleeping schedule…
Getting enough sleep can boost your immune system
Your immune system is your body’s first line of defence against invading bacteria and germs which help protect you from catching the common cold or a nasty stomach bug, for example. Sleep allows the body to release cytokines, infection fighting antibodies, which are essential to your general health and wellbeing which means that a healthy sleep schedule will allow your immune system to prepare for the worst.
Your productivity levels increase when you aren’t sleep deprived
Sleep deprivation is when the body is not able to get the sleep that it needs to function optimally. When we sleep for 5 hours rather than the estimated 6 to 9 that our body may need, it builds up a sleep debt that many people try to gain back by snoozing for longer at the weekend. Whilst sleep deprivation can make tasks seem more tedious as we lack the energy to concentrate properly, making a conscious effort to get enough sleep each night can increase your productivity tenfold as your body has had the time it needs to restore itself.
It’s easier to deal with stress if you’re getting enough Zzz’s
Have you ever noticed that your patience is a lot thinner when you slept a lot less or simply had poor quality of sleep? That is because your body wasn’t able to rest and recuperate throughout the night and this additional pressure is now the following day’s problem. When we schedule ourselves a bedtime routine, such as when to go to sleep and when to wake up, it allows our mind to switch off and relax. This means that everyday stresses like chores, work deadlines and bills won’t seem as difficult because the body is well rested and ready to tackle them.
A lack of sleep can affect your health in a number of ways and may manifest itself as irritability, an inability to concentrate and even make you more vulnerable to illness. Although it may not be possible to hit the hay for 8 hours every single night, a grown working adult should aim for at least 6-9 hours per night depending on individual needs. Putting down your smartphone or switching off the TV around 20 minutes before bedtime is even thought to aid quality of sleep and improve your ability to enter R.E.M sleep.