Relationship Between Sleep and Public Health Vastly Underestimated
Most people enjoy a good night of sleep after a long day. Many of us also know the importance of getting enough sleep before many of life’s important events such as going for a job interview, embarking on a long drive or taking an exam. However, the true extent of the relationship between sleep and the public’s health and wellbeing may be somewhat underestimated.
Many Fail To Get Quality Sleep Consistently
Most people can appreciate the value of sleeping well and enjoy feeling refreshed after getting a good night’s sleep. Conversely, just about everyone strives to avoid getting a poor night’s sleep and the associated feeling of fatigue. Even though most of us are aware of many of the advantages of sleeping well, many of us fail to get quality sleep on a consistent basis.
To best understand the importance of sleep, you should view the human body as a factory that performs several essential functions. As you fall asleep, your body starts to perform the following tasks:
- Recovering from the activities you engaged in during the day
- Healing damaged cells
- Revitalizing your cardiovascular system and heart for the next day
- Stimulating your immune system
We devote a very large portion of time to sleep, and our brains have complex systems that control various aspects of sleep. Several hormones important for physical growth and maturation are secreted during sleep. While the reason we sleep remains something of a mystery, there is some evidence to suggest that sleep is very important to learning and memory.
Getting enough sleep makes up a vitally important component of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, similar to being physically active, eating a healthy diet and staying within recommended alcohol consumption guidelines – although sleep often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.
Sleeping Less Can Lead to a Myriad of Ill Effects
Sleeping less may mean you put on weight! Studies have shown that people who sleep less than 7 hours a day tend to gain more weight and have a higher risk of becoming obese than those who get 7 hours of slumber.It's believed to be because sleep-deprived people have reduced levels of leptin (the chemical that makes you feel full) and increased levels of ghrelin (the hunger-stimulating hormone).
Given that a single sleepless night can make you irritable and moody the following day, it's not surprising that chronic sleep debt may lead to long-term mood disorders like depression and anxiety.When people with anxiety or depression were surveyed to calculate their sleeping habits, it turned out that most of them slept for less than 6 hours a night.
Sleep Debt is Cumulative
If you don’t sleep enough on a regular basis, the sleep loss accumulates over time. The total amount of sleep you lose can be referred to as your sleep debt. For example, if you need eight hours of sleep but only get six hours of sleep every night, your sleep debt will be 14 hours after just one week.
Some people take naps during the day to deal with the sleepiness they feel from sleep deprivation. While naps can boost performance and alertness in the short-term, they are not a long-term solution to sleep deprivation. Napping will not provide you with the advantages associated with a good night’s sleep. Since it is difficult to make up for lost sleep, you should strive to sleep well every night.