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😴 Why is Sleep Important?

<aside> 💡 As we all know, sleep allows your brain and body to replenish from a tiring day and recharge for the next day. Mainly driven by our body’s internal clock, if there are disturbances in our sleep cycle, it can lead to a disruption in your memory, learning abilities, stamina, physical health, and even your mental health and moods.

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If you consistently have poor sleep, it can lead to weight gain as a lack of sleep may affect the body’s regulation of Ghrelin, which promotes hunger, and Leptin, which contributes to feeling full, neurotransmitters.
This dysregulation of both neurotransmitters may lead to increased appetite and diminished feelings of feeling full. Studies show individuals who have poor sleep tend to choose foods high in calories and carbohydrates.
With increased consumption of carbohydrates and a lack of sleep, it affects your body’s ability to properly metabolise carbohydrates which results in your body not being able to process fats and sugars, resulting in storing more fat, and eventually weight gain.

Myths and Facts of Sleep 💤

Statement	Myth or Fact?	Reason
It’s doesn’t matter when you sleep as long as you sleep enough hours.	Myth	The timing of your sleep matters and the best time is during hours of darkness as it helps align your body’s circadian rhythm, which is important for sleep quality and overall health.
The ability to fall asleep anywhere and at any time means you are a “good sleeper”.	Myth	Falling asleep under any circumstances is a sign of sleep problems because it is usually a symptom of insomnia, insufficient sleep, or underlying sleeping disorders like sleep apnea.
The quality and quantity of your sleep are equally important.	Fact	Both are critical factors to have since they are closely connected with sleep continuity. It's important to have uninterrupted and sufficient sleep.
Hitting the snooze button provides meaningful sleep.	Myth	Counting on hitting snooze to feel refreshed is not restorative and unlikely to offer meaningful rest. It causes fragmented sleep since you are constantly woken up.
Adults frequently sleep less with age.	Fact	Ageing plays a role in affecting a person’s circadian rhythm as it makes it harder for them to sleep as long as they want. This is why most older adults sleep can function normally with 4 to 5 hours of sleep.

❤️ How Sleep Plays a Role in your Mental Health

<aside> 💡 Sleep plays a vital role in your physical and mental health, as a lack of it can leave you feeling irritable and worn out. Recent studies imply that sleep can also play a role in both the development and maintenance of various mental health issues.

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A lack of sleep can cause:

Anxiety
Low mood
Erratic behaviour
Lack of motivation
Lowered focus levels
Poor cognitive performance
Declined hand-to-eye coordination

The benefits of sleep for your mental health:

Lowers stress
Better mood and no grumpiness!
Improves memory
Sharpens focus
Increases productivity

😴 Why is Sleep Important?

❤️ How Sleep Plays a Role in your Mental Health

😇 The Angel and 😈 The Devil of Your Sleeping Habits