Did you know that getting enough sleep is a key component to achieving your personal, professional and health goals? It’s true! If you think about it—sleep influences nearly all of the body’s physiological systems. That’s why when you don’t get enough, nearly every aspect of your mental and physical wellness can be compromised.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend that adults aged 18–60 years sleep at least 7 hours. If you’re not getting enough sleep—you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 35% of U.S. adults are not getting the recommended 7 hours of sleep each night.
If you need some extra motivation to get to bed at a decent time, consider ways a natural sleep aid can produce amounts of sleep that can help you live your best life.
1. Immune Health
Your overall health can be greatly impacted when you don’t get quality sleep, even affecting your immune system. That’s because sleep and the circadian system can exert a regulatory influence on your immune health. Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep aren’t likely to feel their best. In addition, a lack of sleep can also affect your overall health. Follow the recommendations of The National Sleep Foundation and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night.
2. Body Weight
Some research suggests that there may be an association between poor sleep and weight gain. While the jury is still out on the exact relationship, there are a few theories as to how the two might be connected. Physiological studies suggest that inadequate sleep may impact metabolic effects related to weight gain3. It could also be that more hours awake means more hours to eat, leading to a greater daily calorie intake.
3. Sleep May Impact Brain Health
When it comes to wellness, attitude is everything — and sleep might play a role! Research shows that cognitive performance involving attention, processing and mood may be associated with sleep.
4. Energy
Falling short of the recommended amount of sleep one night of the week isn’t the issue; but when you don’t get enough shut-eye night after night, that’s where you may start to feel a dip in energy. Not only may inadequate sleep result in difficulty getting out of bed, it may also leave you feeling sluggish throughout the day.
Bottom Line: Sleep may impact more than your day-to-day functioning—whether that’s at work, at school, or just simple, daily activities. That’s why wellness starts with sleep.
Tips For Better Sleep
It may be easier said than done, but good sleep starts with a quiet mind. If you can, take time to chill out in the evening by listening to soothing music or practicing mindful meditation. Turn off the electronics—and we mean all of them—an hour before bedtime.
For extra sleep support, supplements may help. Melatonin and Valerian Root are two dietary supplements that support restful sleep. L-theanine may also help by promoting a sense of relaxation and supporting a restful, relaxed state.
If you aren’t already—it’s time to make sleep a priority. Your body will thank you for it!
