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Shah Rukh Khan may be able to survive on just 3-4 hours of sleep every night, but most people need more. Many studies have demonstrated the health benefits of sleep. For most adults, getting less than seven or eight hours of rest nightly can have negative health consequences. Teenagers usually need two hours more, and younger children may need even more. Here are some reasons to make sure you get a solid chunk of sleep each night.
Weight: Research has shown that people who don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis are more likely to be overweight than their well-rested counterparts. This is thought to happen because sleep deprivation causes hormonal changes that lead to increased appetite.
Disease: Your risk of developing diabetes also increases as your ability to effectively regulate blood sugar is compromised. Lack of sleep also weakens your immune system, making you more prone to catching a cold virus. It could also up your risk of heart disease and of developing certain types of cancers. Research has shown that people who work night shifts are more at risk for colon and breast cancer too.
Skin: If you want to look younger, getting a good night’s rest can play a vital role. A study has shown that individuals who got enough quality sleep were able to recover better after they had been exposed to ultraviolet light.
Muscle: All the weight training in the world is not going to show results without resting time to let your muscles build. Your bedtime is when your body heals cells and tissue, and builds muscles. In addition to this, not getting enough sleep is said to be connected to muscle atrophy –the wasting away of muscle tissue.
Mood: This one’s a no-brainer! We all know how getting only a few hours or disturbed sleep can make us irritable and cranky the next day. Whether you are working in an office or at home taking care of the house, running on a body affected by lack of sleep can make tasks go slower and seriously dent your happiness and productivity.
Sex: If you suffer from low libido or sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction, it makes sense to look into your sleeping patterns. Not getting enough rest can play havoc with your sex life. Sleep also increases testosterone (a hormone that plays a role in upping sexual drive) levels in men and in women.
Headaches: If you are prone to headaches and migraines, it could be due to faulty sleeping patterns. Though the cause is not clear, studies have linked poor sleep quality to an increased risk of migraines.
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