Why You Need to Start Getting More Shut-Eye ...

If you’re looking to keep your weight in check, getting enough shut-eye each night is extremely important. According to sleep medicine specialist Dr. Michael Nolledo, one of the reasons to sleep more is because the hormones that help suppress your appetite are depleted in those who are sleep deprived. Being tired can contribute to making unhealthy decisions when it comes to food choices or cause you to overeat because you’re tired.

We all know the consequences of having an all-nighter. Our eyes are red and puffy or we might have dark circles or bags under eyes. In other words, it’s not pretty. When you’re not getting your fair share of sleep, it can contribute to signs of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, diminished elasticity and uneven pigmentation. Esteé Lauder conducted a study that found a positive correlation between sleep deprivation, skin aging and slower recovery from environmental stressors.

WedMD points out that while getting enough sleep doesn’t automatically guarantee a better mood, lacking sleep can certainly have a negative effect on your mood. U.S. News and World Reports cites a study that shows that adults and adolescents who consistently skimp on sleep report more mental distress, depression and alcohol use.

I bet you’re wondering how sleeping more can help improve your sex life. Well, Dr. Nolledo says that having good sleep habits can increase libido as well as prime you mentally and physically to be an even better lover. Keeping a good sleep schedule also helps ensure that you have the energy to engage in sex, also. The National Sleep Foundation conducted a poll which found that up to 26% of people said that their sex life tends to suffer because they’re too tired.

Could burning the candle at both ends be a contributing factor to getting sick? WebMD mentions a study that tracked the sleep habits of over 150 people over the course of two weeks and exposed them to the cold virus. They found that those who got 7 hours of sleep or less were almost 3 times as likely to get sick as the people who got 8 hours of sleep. While the study was small and limited, there's no harm in getting your 8 hours each night!

If you long to have a head of luscious, healthy-looking locks, you’ve got to put in the time in bed. Having an inconsistent sleep schedule can actually contribute to hair loss says the Belgravia Centre. They state that when your sleep patterns are off, it can affect your immune system, hormone secretion and stamina. Our hair is really sensitive to these changes and hair loss is commonly the consequence of a disturbance in your body.

If you’ve been feeling a little more forgetful lately, your sleep schedule might have something to do with it. WebMD references a study that shows that while we sleep, our brains process and merge our memories from the day. However, when we lack sleep, those memories aren’t stored correctly which can lead to a loss of those memories.

Ever have those days where you just can’t seem to make even a simple decision? There’s a good chance that it’s because you didn’t get very good sleep the night before. In a 2004 study published by the journal, Sleep, research found that being sleepy had a significant impact on a person’s ability to make sound decisions.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m sleepy I tend to be a bit clumsy and not as aware of hazards as I am when I’m feeling rested. WebMD says that being exhausted from lack of sleep can actually put you in danger and there have been many disasters that have been associated with sleep deprivation such as car accidents, falling and more. Get proper rest so you can avoid unnecessary accidents!

If you’re currently skimping on sleep, I hope these reasons to sleep more will convince you to slow down and get some more shut eye. I know we all get busy, but lacking sleep can affect our health, beauty, well-being and our productivity. It’s worth it to take some time out to sleep!

Sources: uhhospitals.org, belgraviacentre.com, byrdie.com, health.usnews.com, everydayhealth.com, webmd.com, sheknows.com