10 reasons you should get more sleep
Carleton University’s Healthy Workplace team has prepared a suite of Top Ten Tips to help you
make healthy decisions every day.
If you are getting less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night you may need
more than a cup of coffee to make up for it. Sleeping an extra hour or two a night can improve your
health, productivity and mood.
1
Control your cravings
Sleep deprivation influences your food
choices, making you crave high-carb and
high-sugar foods. This is because sleep
loss decreases insulin sensitivity, putting
the sleep-deprived at higher risk for
developing type 2 diabetes.
more prone to illness and viruses. Getting
enough sleep will reduce your chances of
getting a common cold and can even help
your flu shot work better.
7
Safety
A significant lack of sleep can have
similar effects as alcohol, and cause you
to have delayed reactions to different
stimuli. Being well-rested is important
when driving, exercising and performing
other activities that require physical
coordination.
8
Sleep can improve your mental
well-being
Sleep impacts many of the chemicals
in your body. Sleep’s role in regulating
hormones and chemicals in your body
makes it an essential component of your
mental health.
Clearer-thinking
Studies have shown that lack of sleep
impairs your cognition, attention and
problem solving. Lack of sleep can even
increase your chances of making odd
mistakes like leaving your keys in the
fridge.
2
Better mood
Lack of sleep causes your body to produce
more stress hormones and effects your
emotional regulation. If you get enough
sleep you’ll get along better with your
family, co-workers and friends.
3
Memory
Having trouble finding your keys? Studies
have shown sleep is when our brain
consolidates memories from the day. If
you get enough sleep your short and long
term memory will improve.
4
Sleep is healthy
Lack of sleep has been linked to
hypertension, increased stress hormone
levels, cardiac arrhythmias, and increased
inflammation. Getting enough sleep is
an important factor in preventing heart
disease and staying healthy.
9
5
Smarts
According to a recent report every hour of
sleep lost below the recommended 7 to 8
hours represents a loss of approximately
one point on a person’s IQ.
10 Energy
Not getting enough sleep can leave you
feeling lethargic and drowsy. Sleep is
essential in maintaining energy levels and
allowing you to be at your best all day.
6
Sleep boosts your immune system
Sleep deprivation can affect your immune
system, making it weaker, and leaving you
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