In fact, it’s just as important as eating healthy and exercising.
1. Poor Sleep Can Make You Fat
Short sleep duration is associated with a drastically increased risk of weight gain and obesity, in both children and adults.
2. Good Sleepers Tend to Eat Fewer Calories
Poor sleep affects hormones that regulate appetite. Those who get adequate sleep tend to eat fewer calories than those who don’t.
3. Good Sleep Can Improve Concentration and Productivity
Good sleep can maximize problem-solving skills and enhance memory. Poor sleep has been shown to impair brain function.
4. Good Sleep Can Maximize Athletic Performance
Longer sleep has been shown to improve many aspects of athletic and physical performance.
5. Poor Sleepers Have a Greater Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
Sleeping less than 7–8 hours per night is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
6. Sleep Affects Glucose Metabolism and Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Sleep deprivation can cause prediabetes in healthy adults in as little as six days. Many studies show a strong link between short sleep duration and type 2 diabetes.
7. Poor Sleep Is Linked to Depression
Poor sleeping patterns are strongly linked to depression, particularly for those with a sleeping disorder.
8. Sleep Improves Your Immune Function
Getting at least eight hours of sleep can improve your immune function and help fight the common cold.
9. Poor Sleep Is Linked to Increased Inflammation
Sleep affects your body’s inflammatory responses. Poor sleep is strongly linked to inflammatory bowel diseases and can increase your risk of disease recurrence.
10. Sleep Affects Emotions and Social Interactions
Sleep deprivation may reduce your social skills and ability to recognize people’s emotional expressions.
Adapted from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important#section1