by
Loren Hamel, MD - President & CEO, Lakeland Health |
Jun 6, 2017
How did you sleep last night?
That’s a question that we probably don’t ask each other often enough. Certainly not as often as “How’s your day?” or “What’s for lunch?”
As it turns out, inquiring about sleep habits may be a more important question to ask each other, at least from a health perspective.
Sleep, particularly how long we sleep, is linked to a number of very important health benefits. And too little sleep can harm us. There are numerous clinical studies that report health-related problems which may be the result of not getting enough sleep.
Some of those problems are very serious. Insufficient sleep is associated with an increased risk for a range of diseases such as heart attacks, diabetes, depression, and Alzheimer's. Those chronic diseases are likely related to more chronic sleep problems.
Acute sleep loss, over just a few nights, can also be harmful. One very interesting study compared subjects who reported eight hours of sleep per night with those that reported seven hours of sleep. Results showed, those who slept one hour less per night had three times the risk of developing an infection when exposed to a respiratory virus.
Acute sleep loss can also impair your brain. Studies show decreases in memory, reaction time, complex thinking, and decision-making after just one episode of sleep deprivation. If you need any more reasons to get a good night’s sleep you can also expect a lower risk for injuries, less pain, and a better sex life.
It’s not only important to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night, it’s also important to get that sleep at around the same time each and every day. Sleep, and to a lesser extent when you eat your meals, are the primary ways you synchronize your body’s biological clock. That clock, called circadian rhythm, is also important to the optimal function of your mind and body.
The research seems pretty clear and compelling. It’s right up there with choosing nutritious foods and getting adequate exercise. Turn off the TV, close down your browser, log out of your email account, and have a great night’s sleep.