Health is wealth - everyone is aware of this saying, To achieve optimum health you need 3 pillars:good nutrition, exercise and the most neglected one “SLEEP ”. A good quality sleep at right time is beneficial for heart, mind and for weight watchers too. In children's , a good quality sleep supports their growth and brain development. Sleep debt can affect your work, how well you think and in children's their grades.An average adult should sleep for 7-8 hours a day.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF GOOD SLEEP:
IMPROVES IMMUNITY : Sleeping at least 7 hrs per day improve one's immune functioning. The people who sleep less than 7hrs/day are 3times more prone to develop cold.
ENHANCE MEMORY : If trying to learn something or stuck with some project, a power nap can help you. Sleep helps to improve cognition, concentration, productivity and performance. Children's who sleep enough have better problem solving skills and memory.
HEART HEALTH : Sleeping less than 7-8 hours per night is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
BALANCE HORMONES: The lack of sleep can throw hormones hey-day which leads to decreased glucose tolerance, risk of type 2 diabetes, increased cortisol levels, decreased Leptin and insufficient production of thyroid stimulating hormone.
CURB STRESS AND ANXIETY :If you think long working hours are the cause of your anxiety and irritability…. Poor sleep or sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea / insomnia) are strongly linked to anxiety and depression.
HEALTHY WEIGHT: Sleep and metabolism both are controlled by the same sector of the brain. Sleeping less than 7.5 hrs/day is linked to higher risk of weight gain both in children's and adults.
REDUCES INFLAMMATION :Research indicates that C-reactive protein responsible for heart diseases, arthritis, stroke, diabetes and premature ageing is higher in people who get fewer hour of good quality sleep.
ENHANCE SPORTS PERFORMANCE :A good night sleep helps in the repair of the muscles and can enhance your athletic skills.
You cannot simply achieve health without taking care of your SLEEP.
Dr. Vijeta Goyal
Nutritionist & Diabetic Counselor
Bengaluru