Why You Need a Good Night’s Sleep

If you’re reading this article at work while sipping down your fourth cup of coffee and struggling to keep your eyes open, then you know why you need a good night’s sleep: to help you keep your eyes open! But there’s more to it than that—there’s actually another lack-of-sleep-related reason you’re likely reading this article right now. Read on to find out just how much a good night’s sleep can get you. And if you want to know how to stop snoring so that you can finally get some sleep, consider an oral appliance for sleep apnea. Strengthen Your Concentration Have you ever noticed how hard it is to stay focused after a bad night’s sleep? It’s true even after the coffee has kicked in. The caffeine may help your eyelids stay open, but it often does little to keep your mind tethered to the task in front of you. The right amount of rest can help you stay focused, better solve problems, and get more done so you can go home and stop thinking about work.

Reduce Your Stress

Stress is cued just as much by physical causes as mental ones. Hunger, panic, sleep deficiency—they all register as stressors in your body. That means high blood pressure, stress hormones flowing, and a body that’s working much harder than it needs to be.

Improve Your Heart Health

Over time, that increased stress and blood pressure take a toll on your heart. Prolonged lack of sleep can put you at greater risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Enhance Your Memory

So just what exactly do our bodies and minds do while we sleep? It may surprise you to learn this, but scientists still have more questions than answers when it comes to why we sleep. But they have figured out a few things. For one, sleep is integral to memory consolidation. Your brain processes the information of the day, filing it away for use later and building connections between different pieces of data. Those connections are why people often urge you to tackle a complex problem by first “sleeping on it.” A lack of sleep means less time for this process to occur, which can leave you feeling scatterbrained and forgetful.

Trim Your Waistline

Lack of sleep negatively impacts your body’s ability to use insulin, intensifies your hunger cravings, leaves you feeling less satisfied after meals, and zaps your motivation to exercise. These changes can undo the efforts of even the most ardent dieters.

Boost Your Mood

When you’re deprived of sleep, it also impacts serotonin production. This wreaks havoc with your mood, and with your sleep/wake cycle. Research has found that prolonged sleep deficiency is tied to a greater likelihood of depression.

Maintain Your Health

Even your immune system takes a hit when your sleep suffers, leaving you less able to fend off illnesses. With the sound of coughs and sniffles ever-present this season, you’ll want your immune system functioning at full strength. Call Smile On Dental Salon and Sleep Apnea Center near Deerfield, IL today at 224-267-8142 to find out how an oral appliance can help you get back some precious Zzzzzs.