6 BENEFITS OF GETTING A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
6 Benefits of a good nights sleep
Did you know that we spend an average of 229,961 hours asleep during our lives? Sleep is such a huge part of our lives and routines and, while we all love a lie in here and there, we can often forget how important it is to get enough of it or simply aren’t getting the full 7-8 hours recommended due to work, screen time and other distractions.
The amount and quality of sleep we get has a significant impact on not just our mind but our entire bodies as well. Here are just a few of the benefits relaxing, unwinding and drifting off before midnight can have…
1. IMPROVE MEMORY AND FOCUS
Feeling refreshed after a long sleep isn’t just because we got a good rest. You see, our brains don’t actually shut off when we sleep. In fact, our minds are hard at work processing memories and linking feelings and events. This is known as memory consolidation and it’s important that our sleep is deep for this important process to happen. So, if you know you have a big meeting coming up (or just want to be sharp and alert), it’s a good idea to get an early night!
2. REDUCE STRESS
Sleep doesn’t just help us rest, it’s a powerful stress reducer. In fact, not getting enough sleep can increase ‘stress hormones’ like cortisol and make us more irritable, anxious and reactive. High cortisol levels can even cause headaches and make falling asleep more difficult, which creates an unhelpful and unhealthy vicious-cycle.
3. REPAIR AND REBUILD
If you’ve had a particularly intense workout, a full 7-8 hours sleep is essential. That’s because, while we’re asleep, our bodies release hormones that help encourage tissue growth to repair blood vessels. This helps wounds heal faster and also restores sore or damaged muscles.
4. HEALTHIER SKIN
Ever wake up with puffy eyes? A significant lack of sleep can make our skin inflamed due to increased cortisol levels. Getting a good night’s sleep helps our skin regenerate and produce collagen. Collagen doesn’t just keep our skin looking plump and smooth, though, it can even help repair acne and strengthen hair and nails. Essentially, sleep is its own kind of skincare – plus it’s free!
5. BETTER PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE
Getting enough sleep means we get more energy to use throughout the day. In fact, sleep can even improve our physical performance – such as speed, accuracy and reaction time. A lack of sleep can have an impact on our motivation levels, which means we’re less likely to want to get up and hit the gym or go for a walk.
6. BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Our immune system is responsible for fighting off germs and, you guessed it, sleep effects that too! Sleep supports the cells and proteins within our immune system meaning it’s faster at detecting and ridding our body of any illnesses that may come our way. So, next time you get a cold, make sure you’re in bed early and dozing off before 10pm for a speedy recovery.
Sleep is just as important as eating well or working out – it’s vital for our overall well being. Whatever your nighttime routine is, making sure you’re getting enough Z’s will help you be your best self.
Here at MADE we recognise just how important sleep is in maintaining good health. Join us for our Restorative Overnight Wellness Retreat, the perfect package consisting of mindfulness, relaxing spa and meditation for a deep and re-energising sleep like no other.
