Cindy Baker – Want to know the secret to a life with less stress, more productivity, and a better mood? Up until fairly recently, the subject of sleep was often ignored by doctors and surrounded by false beliefs and myths. Now, though, we are beginning to understand the importance of a good night’s sleep to our overall health and well-being. Here are ten good reasons to get a good night’s sleep:

Here are 10 reasons why you should call it and early night:

1. Sleep Reduces Stress

It now been proven that sleep lowers stress. According to Medscape, Sleep deprivation affects normal thyroid functioning, the stress hormone cortisol, appetite suppressing hormones, and glucose tolerance When your body is sleep deficient, it goes into a state of stress. The body’s functions are put on high alert, which causes high blood pressure and the production of stress hormones. The stress hormones make it harder to fall asleep. And we all know that high blood pressure increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.

2. Sleep Keeps Your Heart Healthy

We’ve also learned that when people get less than 6 to 7 hours of sleep each night, they are at a greater risk of developing diseases Your heart will be healthier if you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Heart attacks and strokes are more likely to occur during the early morning hours, which may be due to the way sleep interacts with the blood vessels. Lack of sleep has also been associated with worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol as well as weight gain, which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

3. Sleep May Help Prevent Cancer

Did you know that people who work the late shift have a higher risk of developing breast and colon cancer? According to Very Well Health, Researchers believe light exposure reduces melatonin levels. Many people buy over the counter supplements to boost melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It is thought to protect against cancer because it seems to suppress the growth of tumors. As a teacher, I see sleepy students all the time who say that they have their phones in their rooms or stay up late watching video games. The flickering light from these screens negatively affects sleep. In order to help your body produce the melatonin it needs, try to keep your bedroom dark and avoid using electronics right before bed.

4. Sleep Reduces Inflammation

These increased stress hormones caused by lack of sleep can raise the level of inflammation in your body. This also creates a greater risk for heart-related conditions, as well as cancer and diabetes. Inflammation is thought to cause the body to deteriorate as we age.

5. Sleep Makes You More Alert

As a teacher I cannot express how important it is to stay alert in class or at work. Being alert reduces stress, because you do not feel so overwhelmed. A good night’s sleep makes you feel energized and alert the next day. Being engaged and active not only feels great but increases your chances for another good night’s sleep.

6. Sleep Improves Your Memory

Researchers do not fully understand why we sleep and dream, but they have found that sleep plays an important role in a process Very Well Health calls memory consolidation. During sleep, your body may be resting, but your brain is busy processing your day, making connections between events, sensory input, feelings, and memories. Deep sleep is a very important time for your brain to make memories and links, and getting more quality sleep will help you remember and process things better.

7. Sleep May Help You Lose Weight

I have read many places that researchers have found that people who sleep fewer than 7 hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese. It is thought that a lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones in the body that affect appetite. This should be a great motivation for me, but I still struggle to get to sleep on time. Don’t you? But if you want to maintain or lose weight, don’t forget that getting adequate sleep on a regular basis is a huge part of the equation.

8. Napping Can Make You “Smarter”

Nighttime isn’t the only time for sleep. Napping during the day is an effective, refreshing alternative to caffeine that is good for your overall health and can make you more productive. Very Well Health cites how a study of 24,000 Greek adults showed that people who napped several times a week had a lower risk of dying from heart disease. People who nap at work show much lower levels of stress. I wish we teachers could have a nap time at school! I have read several places that napping also improves memory, cognitive function, and mood.

9. Sleep May Reduce Your Risk of Depression

Sleep impacts many of the chemicals in your body, including serotonin. People with serotonin deficiencies are more likely to suffer from depression. Popular prescription anti-depressive drugs such as Prozac are designed to boost serotonin levels. You can help to prevent depression by making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep: between 7 and 9 hours each night.

10. Sleep Helps the Body Repair Itself

Sleep is a time for your body and mind to rest and relax, but it’s also a time during which the body is hard at work repairing damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays, and other harmful exposure. According to Very Well Health, your cells produce more protein while you are sleeping. These protein molecules form the building blocks for cells, allowing them to repair the damage.

So instead of buying another planner or book on time management, try getting more sleep for less stress and more creative productivity!