Most people are aware that their bodies begin to break down after getting bad or no sleep, but it’s not always apparent as to why sleep is such a strong determining factor for our wellness. Instead of being grumpy without reason, educate yourself.
If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t really do math at 3 am, then it may help to enlighten yourself on the physical reasons why you need good sleep. Here is a brief look at some of the most important reasons why your body requires sleep to function.
Lack of sleep breaks down cognitive function
When you don’t get good sleep on a regular basis, your body and mind suffer. Your ability to think clearly breaks down without rest. Your decision-making abilities are compromised when you’re sleep deprived.
If you’re trying to learn something new when your brain is tired, you are likely to obtain less information than you would if you were fully rested. The brain gets busy taking care of other survival functions in the body when you’re tired, and you have less power to learn new things.
Your body works harder when you’re tired
When you are not sleeping properly, your body goes through unnecessary stress. Exhaustion is hard on the heart and other organs in the body. Lack of sleep can cause high blood pressure issues, and high blood pressure can lead to a slew of other health issues.
If you knew you could avoid such a struggle by simply sleeping, you may be more inclined to lay down at night. Take sleep seriously while you’re young, and make the most of your potential in life.
Poor sleeping patterns are linked to depression
Not getting quality sleep can lead to issues with depression. If you already have depression, sleep is even more important to properly maintaining your mental health regimen.
Without sleep, your brain doesn’t have enough time to recharge its “happy” chemicals, and your mood suffers as a result. As your mood affects an array of variables in your everyday life, it is crucial that you practice regular self-care.
Your motivation will suffer when you’re tired
Living a lifestyle of very little sleep can be a strong factor in the crumbling of your goals. If you’re tired, you may not feel up to pushing yourself to the fullest extent of your abilities. Your forward progress in life could be stifled or even halted by poor sleeping patterns.
Your body needs time to recuperate
The bottom line regarding your body’s relationship to sleep is that you are like an electric car. Once your power is drained, you can’t really do much until you recharge. Your bed is the charging station.
