How sleeping (or the lack of it) affects you
I’m a sleepyhead. I’ve always been. I sleep at any perfect opportunity I could find (except at work!) and honestly, I find it hard getting up early in the morning. However since I got married, I’ve been curbing my sleeping fancy a little bit. It even came to a point when I had to sleep as little as four hours a night when I had my home-based call center job last year. I was a walking zombie!
And though I hate waking up early, I now have to get up by 5 am or earlier so I could fix breakfast for my gradeschooler and pack her lunch as well. Hence, for me to get at least 7 or more hours of sleep, I need to be in bed early too.
I’m sure it’ll help big time if I sleep in one of those cozy metal beds! (photos courtesy of http://www.time4sleep.co.uk)
Is having a good night’s sleep important? Yes! Let me count the ways:
1. Sleep reduces stress- In one of my readings, I learned that sleep deprivation causes our body to produce stress hormones. Getting a good seven to eight hours of sleep gives us the opposite effect.
2. Sleep improves your mood - Here in the Philippines, we have a popular saying that goes “Magbiro ka na sa lasing, wag lang sa bagong gising.” It simply implies that people who had a bad, inadequate sleep are more cranky than those who are drunk. So don’t mess with sleep-deprived people.
3. Sleep makes you more energetic and alert - Having a good night’s sleep energizes you when you wake up in the morning. It makes you feel refreshed and ready to face the world. Hence, it also makes you more productive.
4. Sleep improves your memory - Whenever I get quality sleep, I notice that my brain works sharper. I remember things more vividly and I learn new things better, unlike when I’m sleepy and feel like I’m floating in a limbo.
5. Sleep prolongs lifespan - Sleep is needed to regenerate certain body parts, especially the brain, so that it may continue to function optimally. Missed or reduced sleep will affect the brain cells or neurons and may begin to malfunction, visibly effecting a person’s behavior. One time there was an episode in the TV Series “House” where a patient couldn’t sleep for a couple of days. The doctors were racing against time because according to them, if a person can’t sleep for seven days, he or she won’t be able to regenerate his or her neurons and that will cause death.
6. Lack of sleep makes you ugly - It gives you dry and scaly skin especially on the face where our skin is thin and sensitive. Plus it gives you dark circles around the eyes.
You may add more to the list of these sleep benefits and the ill-effects of sleep deprivation. For now, I need to catch some good sleep. Zzzz…
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February 7th, 2010 7:52 pm
Rochelle I don’t think people really realize, what a lack of sleep will do to your body. Investing in a nice bed, and mattress set, is a very important step.
February 8th, 2010 9:43 am
I’m a firm believer in the benefits of sleep. I have always slept early, 9pm the latest is 10 pm. I feel refreshed the next day and it helps to keep you looking younger.
February 9th, 2010 4:17 am
You forgot lack of sleep makes you and evil witch that no one in their right mind would dare to get to close to. Okay so maybe that is just me. Great post.