In fact, it’s just as important as eating healthy and exercising.
- 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. - 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. - 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. - Good Sleep Can Maximize Athletic Performance
Longer sleep has been shown to improve many aspects of athletic and physical performance. - 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. - 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. - Poor Sleep Is Linked to Depression
Poor sleeping patterns are strongly linked to depression, particularly for those with a sleeping disorder. - Sleep Improves Your Immune Function
Getting at least eight hours of sleep can improve your immune function and help fight the common cold. - 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. - Sleep Affects Emotions and Social Interactions
Sleep deprivation may reduce your social skills and ability to recognize people’s emotional expressions.
Adapted from this article.