Do I really have to sleep 7 hours a night? (part 1)
(On sleep, part 1)
I believe that most of the articles about how you should get enough sleep are getting a bad rep (or at least leave a bit of a bad taste in your mouth), and I think it is because they all sound a little bossy - do this, don't do that... And nobody likes listening to anyone commanding them around, even if they are right. Maybe especially then.
So.. give me a chance to phrase this differently:
“What if I told you there is this magical thing that is quite easy and very pleasurable to do, and solely by doing this one simple thing, you can improve multiple dimensions of your health and life at once? ”
Before I continue, let me be clear: I do not claim to be a doctor. If you suffer from any medical condition impacting your sleep, whether physical or psychological, please consult a medical professional. Having this out of the way - if you know you are generally healthy and well, however, sleep is not your priority; here are a few reasons why I believe it would be beneficial to make it one:
- Sleep strengthens your immune function. As you might know, sleep helps the brain consolidate learning and memory – and research suggests it helps our adaptive (acquired) immunity do the same. It doesn't only improve your "brain" memory; it improves your body's memory too – it reinforces the body's ability to remember how to recognize specific antigens (like viruses) and how to fight them best. Very simply put, you will not get sick as easily. JUST BY SLEEPING ENOUGH. Who wouldn't want that?!
- Lowered inflammation. With this one, things are getting a little more complicated, so let's start from scratch. First, it is important to say that inflammation is a healthy bodily function and a reaction protecting us from foreign pathogens like viruses or bacteria. It is our body's "fight mode." It can, however, become problematic if this reaction is triggered too often or if it happens with no actual threat there. Chronic inflammation is typically caused by stress, poor diet, toxins from the environment, and – you've guessed it – poor sleep! This condition can then result in diseases like stroke, diabetes, or cancer. (I'm telling you, sleep is no joke!) To turn this around - getting enough sleep helps you maintain your inflammation response in check and healthily balanced and prevents many diseases it may cause. Building upon that...
- Getting sufficient sleep (and for an adult, that is around 7 to 8 hours a night) has been proven to help you reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. I understand that this is the least sexy argument here, but don't think 'tomorrow', think 'in twenty years'.
This was a gloomy bunch, I know, but it also needed to be said, and now I'll let you sit with it for a bit. So now, take a deep breath, take a break, maybe take a nap if you can 😊 let it sink in, and remember – what you do about what you've just read is entirely up to you.
Have a good one, and see you tomorrow for part two!
