Sleep is a condition of the body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is relatively inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.
Sleep is very essential for people at any age. Research has shown that adults need about 7-8hours of sleep and children need more than that.
However, most people often neglect sleep for various reasons. There are people who overwork and even use sleeping times for work.
This can be very stressful as sleep is a natural occurrence hence neglecting it can affect the overall well-being of an individual. Some people think that sleep is only meant for people who are not strong, hence the saying “sleep is for the weak”.
The state of one’s strength does not determine whether they have to sleep or not, sleep generally is for everybody and it has several benefits for both the health and general well-being of an individual. The following are some of the benefits of sleep.
Sleep reduces stress and improves the mood. When one is always overworking or engaging in activities that prevents them from sleeping, they are highly likely to get stressed.
People who often do not sleep a night before start their days already stressed and this can affect their mood, their ability to think clearly and do better either at school or at work.
They may be down as the body has not been able to get the needed rest to help them feel refreshed.
But when they sleep and give the body the rest it needs, they will wake up refreshed and will be more productive both at school and at work. Sleeping therefore reduces stress and helps to improve one’s mood.
Moreover, sleep lowers the risk for serious health problems like heart diseases. Sleep is a chance for the heart to slow down.
Even though the heart will continue to work, the rate is not as much as when one is awake. Sleep decreases the work of the heart as blood pressure and heart rate go down at night.
This means that the heart of the people who are sleep deprived usually stay elevated instead of fluctuating normally.
This can affect the heart and may lead to heart diseases. Sleep therefore lowers the risk of contracting such heart diseases.
Why Is Sleep So Important?
A good sleep can also enhance one’s memory organization. Getting adequate rest will enable you to process new information once you wake up from sleep.
For instance sleeping after learning can consolidate the new information learnt into memories, allowing one to store them in their brain. Good sleep therefore helps boost one’s memory.
Sleep is therefore very essential for our general well-being. Neglecting sleep for work and other activities may end up affecting you.
This is because when you get sick due to lack of sleep, you will not be able to go to work or even go to school to do what you have been doing. Do not forget that health comes first before anything.
