WHY SLEEP MATTERS

Neurodegenerative Disease

The way you feel while you are awake depends on what happens while you are sleeping. While we doze, our brains and bodies are hard at work, repairing us after the day, and refueling us for the day ahead, When you are sleep-deficient, it affects everything from problem-solving to your memory and mood and even your health. If you don't balance your activity with rest, you will deplete your strength, weaken your digestive fire, and ultimately shorten your lifespan. Your heart health with sleep is involved in healing and repairing of your heart and blood vessels. Shortchanging yourself on sleep can lead to an increase in stress hormones such as cortisol, which compels your heart to work harder. Sleep disorders have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Also, sleep deficiency increases the risk of obesity. Sleep helps you maintain a healthy balance of hormones that make you feel hungry or full when you don't get enough shut-eye, your ghrelin levels go up and leptin levels go down, making you feel hungrier than you are rested. Not sleeping also impacts how your body reacts to insulin, the hormone that controls your blood sugar. When you don't get enough sleep, your blood sugar increases, which may increase your risk of diabetes. Lack of sleep can affect your mood too. When you are tired you are more prone to irritability, impatience, and moodiness. You are also more vulnerable to stress and anxiety, which makes it harder to control your emotions. Studies have shown that sleep-deprived people were less likely to exercise, eat healthy, and engage in activities because of sleepiness. 

Personal Fitness Articles

Check out additional articles on health, fitness, nutrition and personal training in our Personal Fitness Articles Library.

More Tips Coming Soon . . .

Check back next month for another Trammell's Health & Fitness Tip to help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals!

Back to List