Blog

Did you know that nearly 60% of adult Australians have trouble falling or staying asleep on a regular basis?

Many of us are constantly busy and, with so many responsibilities on our hands, sleep tends to get pushed to the bottom of our priority lists. However, getting a good rest every night is incredibly important both for our mental and physical wellbeing.

How so, you may ask? Keep reading to discover seven of the most important benefits of sleep on your health.

Sleep boosts your immune system

While you’re asleep, your immune system produces small proteins called cytokines, some of which help your body fight inflammation, infections, and high levels of stress. If you don’t get enough sleep, you don’t give your immune system enough time to release these important proteins and, as a result, you become more prone to catching colds or the flu.

Sleep helps maintain your weight

Exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet are two key factors in weight management, but what many people might not know is that sleep quality also plays a crucial role in preventing weight gain. When you deprive your body of sleep, your gut produces a hormone called ghrelin, which, in short, makes you feel hungry more often. Just think about it: how many times have you stayed awake until late in the night and felt a sudden craving for a bite to eat? Head to bed earlier and you’ll gain more control over your appetite.

Sleep can help prevent heart disease

Sleep deprivation triggers your adrenal glands to release cortisol, a stress hormone that causes your heart to work harder than usual. Over time, this takes a toll on your heart health and it can lead to cardiovascular complications. By getting a good night’s sleep, you give your heart the time it needs to rest and recover, allowing it to always function at its best.

Sleep helps reduce your stress levels

When you are always on the go, your body releases a high level of cortisol and, consequently, it goes into high alert. This can easily snowball into more complicated issues, which is why developing a good night routine is so important. If you usually have a hard time relaxing at night, try improving your bedroom ambience by keeping it dark, diffusing essential oils, and leaving all electronics out of reach.

Sleep can enhance your athletic performance

By now, you can probably guess why sleeping improves your exercise performance: your body gets the rest it needs at night and, in doing so, it is able to perform better during the day. In fact, studies have shown that there are many sports-related benefits of good sleep habits: reduced injury rates, faster speed, improved accuracy and better decision-making, to name a few.

Sleep improves focus, memory and productivity

Just like it does with your heart, sleep gives your brain the time it needs to recover, which does wonders for your productivity, concentration, and cognitive skills. Although you might feel like working hours without end will get you to where you want to be, in the end, it will only lead to fatigue and poor results. So, instead of burning the midnight oil, why not try a calming essential oil blend and climb beneath the sheets?

Sleep can reduce your risk of mental illness

Poor sleep quality can lead to a serotonin deficiency, which can consequently lead to certain mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, and exacerbate the symptoms of others, like bipolar disorder and ADHD. Additionally, REM sleep, which is the stage of the sleep linked with dreaming, has an impact on your emotional health, and any significant disruptions on this stage can cause you not to feel your best during the day.

Now that you’re familiar with some of the main benefits of sleep on your health, it’s time for this crucial habit to move to the top of your priority list – and that’s something we can help you with. Explore all about our Sleep Sanctuary range and get the good night’s sleep you deserve – every night.