Remember when the world was all about hustling? Whether it meant voluntarily forgoing free time to focus on side projects, working overtime all the time, or scrambling between multiple jobs, it became the norm to stretch one’s work ethic as far as it could go. Unfortunately, this practice often came at the expense of sleep and mental health for many working professionals.
At last, we’ve reached the stage in which all those sleepless nights have caught up with us. We’re burnt out and need to reform. Society is now transitioning into an age that embraces the practice of self-care, and we’re all in favor.
Self-care comes in many forms, including: journaling, unplugging from social media, reading, exercising, building relationships, and developing a healthy sleep routine.
A study shows that most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep to function at their best. If you want to optimize your day, sleep should become a priority. In fact, we view it as the most powerful investment you can make for yourself.
1. Sleep allows your brain to perform at its best.
While you sleep at night, your brain gets straight to work. As you snooze, your brain strengthens connections between brain cells and consolidates memories, sifting through unnecessary memories and solidifying important ones. It also flushes away harmful toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s.
As a result of your brain’s activities during a night of quality sleep, you’ll notice a boost in your:
- Concentration
- Memory
- Productivity
- Creativity
With all those boosts, you can memorize that presentation better, get more work done during the day, learn new information more efficiently, and come up with more original ideas.
2. Sleep boosts your immune system.
Nothing ruins a potentially productive day more than being sick. Studies show that while sleep deprived, the body produces less antibodies to help fight infections.
As a result, those who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus and also take longer to recover from an illness. Build up your immune system by maintaining a solid sleep routine.
3. Sleep improves your athletic performance.
Your body is able to perform at its best when you’re well-rested. Increased sleep quality and sleep duration in athletes has been proven to contribute to improved performance and competitive success. It also reduces the risk of injury and illness in athletes.
4. Sleep regulates your appetite.
Have you noticed that when you’re sleep deprived, you tend to snack on junk food more? Researchers have discovered that when you’re sleep deprived, your body produces less leptin, a hormone that suppresses your appetite. Instead, it begins producing more ghrelin, a hormone that increases your appetite. As a result, you tend to eat more than usual and also make unhealthier food choices—leading to weight gain.
5. Sleep affects your mood.
Researchers have found a clear link between your sleep duration and mood. When you’re fully rested, you’re able to appreciate the good moments during the day and radiate more positivity. It’s no secret that sleepless nights cause a grouchy mood the next day, which affects everyone around you. For the sake of your co-workers and loved ones, get enough sleep!
Optimize your days with proper sleep
Just imagine: by getting enough sleep, you’ll operate at your best in every aspect. With the new year coming up, make it a resolution to prioritize your sleep every night to improve your well-being. As they say, “Health is wealth.”
If you’re ready to prioritize your sleep, start with your sleep setup.
Are you using a pillow that adjusts to you? If not, you might be compromising your sleep quality.
Having an adjustable pillow allows you to customize your pillow to your unique size and sleep position, so you can achieve a healthy sleep posture and enjoy the most comfortable sleep of your life.