The Best Medicine: Why Sleep Is So Important to Your Health Health One Family Medicine
go to original June 22, 2022

What Would Happen if You Didn’t Sleep? (TED-Ed)

You might think of sleep as time wasted – but it is an absolute necessity, just like food, water, and air. Your body needs sleep to function optimally, both on a physical and mental level.

In sickness or in health, a compromise on your sleep is a compromise on your health.

Getting enough sleep daily is perhaps the first step to get your health back on track. Regardless of the health complications that you are dealing with, following a healthy sleeping pattern along with taking the necessary prescription medications is the ultimate combination for effective treatment.

Lack of sleep serves as a gateway for a multitude of health problems. In fact, it can even make you feel ill when you are completely healthy and fit. And it will certainly make your conditions even worse if you are already suffering from a health problem.

Given the healing power of quality sleep, there is no wonder that the world of healthcare is buzzing about a ‘wonder drug’ that’s not even actually a drug – yes, it is none other than a good night’s sleep.

Why Sleep Is So Important

Lack of sleep does not only manifest in your physical appearance in the form of big, dark eye bags under your eyes but also has several negative effects on your health.

In addition to tiredness, fatigue, and the ‘out-of-energy’ feeling, a sleep debt can contribute to a weak immune system, obesity, high blood pressure, anxiety, stress, depression, diabetes, and even stroke. Not getting enough quality sleep can also increase the risk of chronic health conditions.

It appears that the famous saying, ‘early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’ was in fact very true!

Benefits of Good Sleep

A good night’s sleep makes sure that your body and mind are well-rested to face the challenges and take over the world the next day.

The time that you spend sleeping is the time your body utilizes to pull itself together, and heal and repair itself.

Below are the main benefits of quality sleep:

  • Clear thinking
  • Better mood
  • Positive change in body composition
  • Weight loss
  • Better hormonal balance
  • Improved alertness level
  • Enhanced overall ability to function
  • Reduced stress levels
  • Strengthening of the immune system
  • Maintenance of blood pressure and cardiovascular levels

The importance of quality sleep in a healthy routine cannot be stressed enough. It is one major player in the game of health!

Read the rest at Health One Family Medicine