What Happens When You Get Enough Sleep?

Sleeping is a natural state in which the body and mind rest. The closing of the eyes, decreased bodily movement, minimal response to external stimuli and partial loss of consciousness characterize sleeping.

Sleeping has a direct effect on the physical and mental state of the waking life. Failure to get adequate sleep takes a toll on energy, emotional balance, productivity and weight. It is the reason why health professionals require sleeping should be for 7-9 hours.

Effects of Enough Sleep

Robust immune system

Getting enough sleep improves the immune system by maintaining a healthy level of T-cells. It restricts inflammatory cytokines to low levels thus reducing the risk of cold and flu. It might not make much significance as some people could be having stronger immune systems but sleeping for at least 7 hour helps people with poor immunity to avoid an increase the risk of infection.

Better memory

The mind is exhausted by the time is teaches sleeping time after processing many things. When you sleep, it begins a process known as consolidation which is practising the skills learned during the day. This process helps in strengthening memories. Practicing a mental or physical activity makes the mind to master it better. If you sleep enough, something that you are learning sticks better in mind. For example, if you spend time learning words in a new language, you will memorize them better after adequate rest that when the mind is in a state of exhaustion.

Lower risk of injury

Adequate sleep allows you to think more clearly and have better presence of mind. It eliminates clumsiness which hinders clear thinking meaning that you could make wrong decisions that increase the risk of accidents on the road when operating machinery or participating in sports.

Improves logical thinking

Lack o sleep impairs judgment whereas getting adequate rest improves attention span and cognition, which is a mental process of acquiring and understanding knowledge. Sleeping for sufficient time sharpens the capacity of the mind to solve math and logic problem at better rates. It also increases the capacity to make better judgments at school, work or business without making odd mistakes like forgetting something essential for the task at hand.

Reduced inflammation

Research shows sleeping for more than six hours a day reduces the levels of inflammatory proteins that are responsible for premature ageing, stroke, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. C-reactive protein which scientists associate with higher risk of heart attack is higher among people who sleep for six or fewer hours. People who seek treatment for sleep disorders also get a simultaneous improvement of inflammation and blood pressure.

Uplifting of the mood

Sleeping for 8 hours a night may not guarantee a perfect day, but it prepares you for better handling of daily stresses. A good night prevents a bad-tempered mood that occurs due exhaustion. Sleeping g well is also good for emotions. A person who is well rested is unlikely to have a fatigued mind in the morning is a cause of temperamental and argumentative moments with family or colleagues because of pouring frustrations on the wrong people.

Spurs creativity

Sleeping for adequate time consolidates and bolsters memories. When you sleep for enough time, the brain gets more time to strengthen emotional components of memory, restructure and reorganize them which helps in spurring creative process.

When you rest well, there is more inspiration and energy to go for exercises.

Reduces stress

Getting quality sleep at night reduces chances of getting stress by improving productivity, functionality and concentration. A good night’s rest simplifies problem-solving hence stressful situation are fewer and less frustrating.

Additionally, when sleep reaches REM (dream) stage, it reduces norepinephrine, a stress hormone and reactivates memories to put the thing in perspective and manage difficult experiences.

Sleep is essential in helping the body to recover from daytime activities and recharge for the next day. It allows the mind and all body organs to function without strain thus increasing physical, mental and emotional health.