Reasons to Sleep: Physiology and Psychology

That sleep is an important aspect of existence is one thing on which we all agree. Pretty much everyone wants to get a decent sleep every day. There are even some who opt for drastic measures such as taking sleeping pills in order to get a quality sleep.

However, it appears that while we consider sleep important, we don’t always make it a priority. We tend to give it up in favor of work, school, or even socialization opportunities. How many times have we seen young people sneaking out of their homes late at night to party at a local bar? How many workers have remained awake to see the first rays of the sun the next day as they strive to finish a presentation?

But when we speak of us as organisms, we will realize that sleep is something that we shouldn’t take for granted or just put on the side. It offers clear benefits to our well-being, and this article will aim to make clear what those benefits are.

Psychological Health

We get sleepy because our body needs sleeping time. It’s as simple as that. Although science is not yet clear as to what sleep actually adds to the organism, its numerous examinations have already uncovered what lack of sleep does to the body. There are now studies that link sleep deprivation with being overweight, suggesting that lack of sleep has negative consequences on the body’s ability to metabolize.

There are also authors who put forth the argument that being sleep deprived plays a role in the development and worsening of many forms of carcinoma. With all this, it really makes sense to order someone to sleep if they really want to be physically healthy.

Mental Stability

Aside from its effects on the physical body, sleep or lack thereof also has a strong influence on the mind. In particular, there are studies that demonstrate that children who have been deprived of a good night’s sleep suffer a decline in their academic performance. This suggests that sleep has a strong association with cognitive function.

In addition to that, lack of sleep has also been linked to a myriad of mental disorders including but certainly not limited to depression and bipolar disorder. In fact, insomnia or the inability to get some good rest is among the key symptoms of depression.

What can be done?

Fortunately, there are things that can be done to ensure a good night’s sleep for you and the people who live with you. For sure, one of them is making sure that you are in a comfortable sleeping lounge or room. Soft cushions and pillows, warm blankets, and even the type of lights installed in the room all play a role in your sleep experience. Leave bright LED lights out of the room and just put them in spaces that demand your full attention and wakefulness such as your car. After all, driving is a sensitive task, and you need all the help that you can get to keep your attention on the road in check. Good examples of LED lights for cars are offered by stores such as XK Glow.

Another thing that you can do is be active during the day so that your energy gets spent and it’s easier for you to relax and unwind during the night.

Diet also plays a role in achieving a good night’s sleep. Nuts can be consumed because they contain high levels of melatonin, which plays a key role in sleeping.

A good night’s sleep is not a luxury. It’s actually something that the body needs for it to be in good condition for all of life’s activities. Hence, it should be something that we should aspire for, no matter how mundane it sounds.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.