Hands up if you’re guilty of going to bed late every night! Turn that bad habit around and hit the sack earlier to reap the following benefits of getting enough sleep.
Hands up if you’re guilty of going to bed late every night! Turn that bad habit around and hit the sack earlier to reap the following benefits of getting enough sleep.
1 Better mental health
That muddle-headed feeling you get when you’ve had a rough night is real. Your mood and mental health are affected by the amount of sleep you get. What’s more, sleep can help improve your cognitive performance and concentration.
2 Improved muscle tone
Looking to bulk up quickly? Deep slumber is the key. Your body repairs and restores itself when you sleep, and this speeds up muscle growth after a workout.
3 Reduced risk of diabetes
Blood sugar control goes hand in hand with getting enough sleep. People who snooze eight hours per night are 1.7 times less likely to develop diabetes than those who sleep for six, according to research by the Boston University School of Medicine in the US.
4 Score better skin
Healthier, glowier skin can be yours – as long as you have enough shuteye. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has shown that pulling an all-nighter can cause skin barrier recovery to decrease by more than 10 per cent.
5 Enhanced memory
Forget tying a string around your finger to remember things – just get enough sleep. While you’re snoozing, your brain is actually hard at work categorising your memories and experiences. A lack of sleep could even affect your ability to learn new things as you become less able to process information, say experts at the National Institutes of Health.
6 Stronger immune system
A good night’s sleep every day is what will keep the doctor away! A study published by the American Medical Association revealed that those who sleep less than seven hours a night are almost three times more likely to succumb to a common cold than those who sleep eight hours or more.
