When people talk about improving their health and wellbeing, they often focus on fitness or eating a more balanced diet. Yet, sleep is often overlooked and could provide benefits that support your physical and mental health.
It’s often recommended that you get around eight hours of sleep a night. A YouGov poll suggests that while the majority of people aim to sleep eight hours or more, few achieve that target.
In fact, only 47% said they get sufficient sleep to function optimally during waking hours, and 53% said they rarely or never feel well-rested.
If you’re among those who struggle to get enough rest, finding a routine that helps you get enough sleep could improve your overall wellbeing. Here’s why.
Sleep could improve your energy and motivation
Everyone has experienced a poor night’s sleep that’s affected their energy and motivation the following day. A lack of sleep can make everyday tasks feel like a chore and potentially increase the likelihood of mistakes.
Improving the quality of your sleep could mean you’re more likely to feel ready to tackle tasks and enjoy your day.
Good quality sleep could improve your physical health
Sleep might seem to have little to do with physical health. After all, you’re not moving. However, your body doesn’t turn off when you sleep. Instead, it enters a period of restoration that supports physical health.
According to Oxford Health, during sleep, hormones are released that support different bodily functions, including those associated with growth and strength. These hormones play a role in cell repair and metabolism.
Muscle repair and tissue regeneration may also occur during sleep, potentially improving your physical performance.
Getting the right amount of sleep could also mean you’re in a better position to take other steps to improve your physical health. After a good night’s sleep, you’re less likely to reach for sugary snacks for an energy boost or skip exercise.
Sleep could support cognitive performance
During the night, your brain processes information from the day, such as consolidating memories, and flushes away toxins, which improves your cognitive performance.
When you don’t get enough sleep, you may notice it becomes harder to solve problems, you can’t concentrate, or your reaction times suffer.
A chronic lack of sleep could have a long-term impact on your cognitive function. Indeed, recent studies have linked sleep disorders and an increased risk of dementia. According to the BBC, people who experience sleep disorders are up to twice as likely to develop a neurodegenerative disease, including dementia.
A good night’s sleep could help you regulate your emotions
You’re more likely to feel emotional when you’re tired and may find it more difficult to deal with stressful situations. Frequently experiencing poor sleep could have an impact on your overall mental health, which may disrupt your sleep and create a negative cycle.
An article from Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine notes that sleep and mood are closely connected. Indeed, chronic insomnia may increase the risk of developing a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression.
A study found that people who were limited to only 4.5 hours of sleep a night for one week reported feeling more stressed, angry, sad, and mentally exhausted. When they resumed a regular sleep routine, the subjects of the study noted a dramatic improvement in their mood.
Practical tips that could improve your sleep quality
Sadly, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to improving the amount or quality of sleep you experience. However, some simple steps might help:
- Establish a regular sleep pattern to regulate your body’s internal clock
- Create a relaxing sleep environment
- Reduce your exposure to blue light, which is emitted by phones and laptops, in the evenings
- Avoid caffeine and intense exercise just before you go to bed.
If you frequently struggle to get enough sleep or wake up feeling unrested, you might benefit from speaking to your doctor. They may help you identify underlying issues that cause or exacerbate poor sleep.