Ladies, it’s no mistake that sleep is something we aren’t get enough of.
Whether you’re a working mom, stay at home mom or just a busy lady, you might not be getting the beauty sleep you need. Not getting enough sleep each night might actually be doing some harm. Getting plenty of deep, restful sleep might offer more than just some pep in your step on Monday morning.
Healthy sleep habits are important for tons of daily functions and sleepless nights can affect everything from concentration to heart health, making those sweet dreams more serious than you think.
Here’s the top 5 benefits of sleep for women and why it’s important to catch plenty of Z’s everyday.
Repair Your Body
Our lifestyles take a toll on our body and we need plenty of time to rest and recover. While you sleep, your body is programmed to release extra protein molecules to repair damage and boost your immune system. Stress makes you more susceptible to infections and illness, making this flush of new cell nourishment an important part of your day.
Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, making heart health a very real concern. Your heart works overtime under stress and sleep helps lower blood pressure and eliminate stress. Quality sleep routines help maintain cholesterol levels to keep your heart healthier. Getting plenty of sleep is an important addition to your heart health regimen and high levels of inflammatory markers are big red flags for heart disease and stroke.
Improve Memory
Sleep deprivation leaves you feeling foggy and sluggish, making it difficult to remember facts, faces, lessons or even conversations. While you’re deep asleep, your brain is busy organizing memories and thoughts. A good night’s sleep helps give your brain a fresh start in the morning and helping you ponder a decision or processing a new memory.
Weight Management
Women’s metabolisms are very much based on hormones and a good night’s sleep gives these metabolisms a welcome boost. When you aren’t getting enough sleep, your appetite may actually increase. Sleep deprivation increases your appetite for energy and this manifests usually in cravings for fatty, high carbohydrate or high sugar foods. If you’re starting a new diet or nutrition plan, getting a good night’s sleep help give you the push you need to make healthier food choices each day.
Mental Health
If you’ve ever had a horrible night’s sleep before a busy or important day, you probably weren’t in the best mood. In fact, chronic sleep deprivation can cause long-term mood disorders to develop like depression or anxiety that can really hold back your well being in different areas of your life. A healthy sleep schedule can keep you feeling happier, more alert and in control of your mental health. When your mind is healthy, physical well being is always sure to follow.
If you aren’t getting enough sleep, you might actually be doing some hidden harm to your body.
Give yourself the opportunity to unwind at the end of the day and enough time to get a full 8 hours of sleep whenever you can. When you feel more refreshed heading to bed, you can wake feeling more refreshed and ready to seize the day.