When we think of popular New Year’s Resolutions, we often think of promises to ourselves to eat healthier, travel more, and lose weight. But often, a key element of our health is left off out of our planners and off our schedules as we dive into the business of the New Year. That element is sleep. Not only is sleep necessary for basic functioning, but getting the proper amount of rest can have a number of health benefits. Here are seven reasons why sleep should be your New Year’s Resolution.
Lack Of Sleep Is Strongly Linked To Weight Gain
If your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and you haven’t incorporated a few extra hours on the pillow, you’re not doing yourself any favors. In an extensive study lasting over 10 years, lack of sleep was proven to be linked to the chances of becoming obese in adults & children.
Improve Your Cognition & Productivity
If you’ve ever had a night where you’re tossing and turning, you know that trying to concentrate the next day feels like herding cats. But what most people don’t realize, is that even small reductions in sleep can significantly impair your cognition and productivity in the long run. Poor sleep night after night can lead to memory loss and can make you more error-prone at work.
Crush Your New Year’s Workouts
If you haven’t been performing the way you’d like to in the gym, your sleep might be to blame. One study showed that lack of sleep was linked to poor athletic performance.
Boost Your Mood
One of the most important things that happens when you sleep, is your brain starts to regulate and process your emotions. If you’re shorting yourself on sleep, you might find that your overall mood is just a little worse. Plus, no one loves feeling tired all the time.
Give Your Heart A Break
When you sleep, your heart gets a break as your blood pressure begins to drop. If you’re not giving your heart the rest it needs, it can lead to heart disease and stroke in the long term.
Boost Your Immune System
Lack of sleep has been proven to result in a lower ability to fight infection. If you consistently deprive yourself of the rest you need, your body won’t be able to fight off infections as quickly, leading to more sick days from work.
Lower Inflammation
High amounts of chronic inflammation can leave you with long term pain and soreness that never seems to go away. Better rest has been linked to reducing inflammation in the body. If you’re never giving your body the rest it needs, you might find yourself facing the effects of inflammation long term.
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