How Getting The Right Amount Of Sleep Can Give You More Energy Throughout The Day
Sleep is probably one of the most wonderful feelings; that moment when you’re teetering on the edge of consciousness and a dream-like state, wrapped in a warm, safe cocoon – I’m sure we can all relate to this feeling.
Now, if you’re not getting enough zzzz, do you find your body and mind hitting the skids part way through the day? Of course you do.
Put simply, sleep is not just something we do because it feels nice, we need to sleep in order for our bodies to rest, repair, and relax, ahead of doing the whole thing all over again the following morning. If you push your body to exhaustion, without giving it the time it needs to chill the hell out, you can expect to push yourself towards countless health problems, as well as not being able to focus at work.
Lack of sleep is basically bad for your overall health, and it can also be damaging to relationships, both work and personally; if you’re constantly snappy, bad tempered, or grumpy, how can you expect anyone to want to be around you? On top of this, there are more severe problems to take into account, such as an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, or diabetes – all of these can lessen your life expectancy dramatically.
So, having read that, it’s time to realise that getting the right amount of sleep per night is imperative.
What is the right amount of sleep?
There is no solid definition of ‘normal’, and so there is also no solid definition of the right amount of sleep for every single person. What is right for one person may not be enough for someone else, or it may be too much for another; basically, the rule of thumb is around eight hours of unbroken sleep per night. Having said that, if you wake up feeling tired and groggy, and you find yourself desperately wanting to close your eyes throughout the day, the chances are you’re not getting enough. It’s really about trial and error, testing how you feel, and finding your happy amount of sleep, the amount that is personal to you.
The benefits of the right amount of sleep
Greater focus – If you are sleep deprived then don’t expect to be able to make great decisions or to be able to concentrate for long periods of time. Your brain will fog and all you will be able to concentrate on is how heavy your eyes feel. You risk of accidents is also greater because of that lack of focus.
Improved immunity – Your body’s ability to fight off illness and viruses is improved when you are getting the right amount of shut eye per night.
Your overall mind-set will improve – Depression and anxiety is intrinsically linked with sleep deprivation, so make sure you get the right amount to ensure your mental health is on the up. Of course, on the flip side, those with depression tend to sleep too much, which can also have the same effect – find the balance.
Better weight management – Studies have shown that those who sleep less than seven hours per night have trouble shifting weight, and may also suffer from obesity in later life. This is because when your body is running on empty, your body produces less of the leptin chemical, which is the feeling of being ‘full’ after eating, whilst also having more in the way of ghrelin, which is a hormone which works to make you feel hungry; the result is over-eating.
Reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease – These two are serious things to take into consideration, and studies have also shown that if you don’t get enough sleep over a long period of time, your risk of developing the two shoots up.
So, how can getting the right amount of sleep give you that all important energy boost?
If you’ve ever had a heavy night and tried to work afterwards, you will know all too well how your body feels – lethargic and heavy. Now, picture that you continue that heavy night for the following week, every single night – can you imagine the feeling? If your body feels that way, you cannot focus, you can’t think straight, and your energy levels are on the floor.
Trying to boost your energy with sugar-laden drinks and caffeine is not the way forward, because you will only suffer from a sugar crash a few hours later. The only answer is to try and catch up on your sleep gradually over a period of time, and then put into place a regular bedtime for you, so you get the right amount of zzzz.
Having a greater focus and being more alert gives you that energy you need to continue your working day until the end, without feeling like you have grit in your eyes and that you’re going to start snoring at any moment!
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