WeedMD's Tips for Healthy Living. Tip #7: Sleep

"Sleep is the golden chain that binds health and our bodies together." - Thomas Dekker

If you’ve ever wondered whether an extra hour of sleep could have a positive impact on your life, according to experts, the answer is a resounding “yes.”  Studies indicate that the gap between too much and too little sleep may affect both body and mind. 

The following are just a few of the reasons why you might want to ensure that you’re getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night:

A good night’s sleep doesn’t make you immune from disease.  However, many studies have indicated that there is a link between a lack of sleep and serious health conditions such as heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity.  Being well rested can also improve your sex life.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, as many as 26% of people polled say that their sex lives have suffered due to the fact that they are simply too tired.

Studies have also indicated that there may be a link between loss of sleep and a lower pain threshold.  However, while being in pain makes it challenging to get a good night’s rest, being well rested can supplement pain medication.  Getting a sufficient amount of sleep also keeps you safer.  When you’re more alert, the risk of injury from potentially lethal automobile and household accidents is significantly reduced.

Although getting enough sleep doesn’t guarantee a good mood, feeling exhausted can have a negative impact on your emotional wellbeing.  Also worrisome is the fact that a lack of sleep can lead to a drop in the hormone leptin, which triggers feelings of fullness.  Without it, chances of weight gain are higher.  With sufficient rest, you will experience improved memory function and you’ll give your immune system a boost.  In short, simply by ensuring that you get the proper amount of sleep can go a long way towards helping you stay healthy and happy!