The Importance of Sleep (and Why We Need to Stop Praising Those Who Don’t Get Enough of it)

This topic has been on my mind to discuss for a while now, but I never knew what to say.

Sleep is so important, and yet many of us don’t get enough of it. I think it is critical that we think about the importance of sleep and the detriments that it has on your body if you don’t sleep enough.

In this post, I will be explaining the major benefits of sleep and why we need to stop saying “I’ll sleep when I am dead.”

But, before we jump in be sure to follow my Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get more updates from me on my day to day life.

The Importance of Sleep
1. Good Sleep Can Help You Lose Weight
Recent studies have shown that people who have shorter sleep duration tend to weigh significantly more than people who get adequate sleep. Additionally, those who sleep less than the recommended amount tend to eat more calories throughout the day.

Having adequate amounts of sleep has also been shown to increase your athletic performance. More sleep significantly improves your concentration, agility and speed, according to a recent study.

2. Good Sleep Increases Productivity and Concentration
A good amount of sleep is super important for our brain function. In many studies, it has shown that low amounts of sleep lead to more mistakes, lower concentration, and lower productivity levels. Some studies even suggest that poor amounts of sleep may be equivalent to being intoxicated with alcohol.

3. Good Sleep Increases Immune Function
Just like the brain, the immune system, is also negatively effected when we have a lack of sleep. Many studies have proven that a lack of sleep lowers immune defenses in the body, which makes you more susceptible to catching infections.

4. A Lack of Sleep Can Lead to Increased Risk of Heart Disease & Stroke
Poor sleep and a lack of sleep can cause an increase in many diseases and infections. But, there have been many studies that show a significant increase in risk of heart disease and stroke in people who sleep less.

5. A Lack of Sleep is Linked to Increased Depression & Anxiety 
I’m sure it comes as no surprise that a lack of sleep also effects your mood and emotions. We have all had terrible sleep and been moody and irritable the next day. But, when you continuously have a lack of sleep it has been shown to increase your odds of being depressed or anxious.

6. A Lack of Sleep is Linked to Increased Inflammation in the Body 
Lastly, a lack of sleep can also activate undesired inflammation markers in the body and cause cell damage in the long term. A lack of sleep has been shown to be strongly linked to certain Autoimmune diseases, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Why We Need to Stop PRAISING Those Who Don’t Get Enough Sleep

If I had a dollar for every time I heard somebody brag about how little sleep they got, I would be one rich woman.

In Architecture school, people are constantly pulling all-nighters, staying up till the crack of dawn, and overall just not sleeping enough.

For some reason, it is common for people to believe that they work best “under pressure.” Maybe this is true, or maybe it is not. But, I believe that working under pressure doesn’t usually yield the best outcomes. Good work takes time, and ideas take time to come to flourish.

Sure, in some circumstances, less sleep is necessary to get something done. But, this should never be the default way to deal with a lack of time. This is why I wrote this post.

We have to stop gambling with our health in order to meet deadlines and get stuff done. AND, we should not be praising those who do so.

So please, make sleep a priority. Your mind and body will thank you in the morning and in the long run.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. How do you manage to get enough sleep, or why you don’t get enough sleep? Let me know in the comments below or on my Facebook or Instagram.

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• building a DIY Selfcare Toolkit
• A Vital Mindset Shift To Ease Fear and Anxiety
• Improve Your Medical Care by Expanding Your Health Care Team
• Fun At-Home Activities For When You Can’t Go Out