The 7 Secret Benefits of Sleeping Well

Everyone starts the day much better when they sleep well, but why is this?

Researchers have done a lot of research on sleep, and what makes such an important part of our life

Here are seven benefits of Sleeping Well!

1. Improved memory function
While you are sleeping your memory is hard at work, practicing the skills you learn when you were awake. This process is called consolidation. Through this mechanism, your body saves and integrates all the things you learn during the daytime.

2. Curbing inflammation
Inflammation is linked to many diseases, to name a few: stroke, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and premature aging. Research has shown that people how sleep less then 6 hours a night on a regular basis have higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins than those who sleep more than 6 hours a night.  Dr. Rapoport, who studied this fenonomen says that people who have sleep apnea or insomnia can have an improvement in blood pressure and inflammation when their sleep disorders are treated.

3. Kickstart creativity

As we now all know, sleep improved memory function. Your brain reorganizes and restructures memories while you sleep, which results in more creativity. Research done at Harvard University and Boston College found that emotional components of memory is strenghtend while we sleep. This increases peoples creative ability.

4. Improving attention and learning
Studies found that sleep disorders like snoring, sleep apnea and other types of interrupted breathing during sleep are likely to result in problems with attention and leaerning. A lot of us will sacrifice sleep if we have a deadline, however research shows that if our sleep is interrupted or shortend on a regular basis our ability to pay attention and to learn new stuff is significantly decreased.

5.Get those sixpack-abbs
A key aspect of losing body fat, research shows, is getting enough sleep. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that dieters who were well rested lost more fat than their peers who did not get enough sleep. The difference was HUGE. The well rested group lost 56% (!) more fat than their sleep impaired buddies. The total amount of weight lost was equal between groups, however a lot of the weight lost in the sleep derprived group came from a loss in muscles – not good!

6.Lower Stress
Everyone knows the difference a good nights sleep can make for your general happiness through the day. Researchers have found that sleep reduces levels of stress, which in turn leads to lower levels of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

7. Being happy!
Lower stress, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and all of the above are some of the great benefits that sleep has for us. A good night of sleep can contribute to more emotional stability and lessens a persons anxiety. It also increases your patience and lessens irritability.