The importance of sleep explained.

WHY do you think the sleeping beauty was one of the most beautiful princesses in the Disney world? BECAUSE SHE GOT ENOUGH SLEEP! 

I believe that everyone knows the basics of why sleep is so important, but l don’t think we know or comprehend the benefits of sleep. Which is why we text, Instagram and tweet until the sun is up, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The problem arises when we start making a habit out of it, like heroin, once you start it’s hard to stop. 

It's important to TRY and curb bad habits and start developing good habits, it's not going to be easy, but it can be done. Before we get into this week's list l believe we should discuss the difference between the things you think you know versus facts related to sleep.

WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK You only need 8 hours of sleep You can catch up with sleep on the weekend 2 more minutes  If l sleep at 5 am l will wake up at 8 am

FACTS No Tom! 8 hours is not enough. 9-10 hours is sufficient.  You need sleep in order to concentrate better at work/school What's going to happen after two minutes?  Yes! You’ll still be asleep. That does not qualify as sleep or rest.

The following is a list of five reasons why you should develop good sleeping habits and methods:

1. HELPS REDUCE STRESS

Being asleep is like being in a coma, and when you are in a coma your spirit or mind is taken to the magical land of dreams or complete darkness where the part of your brain that causes multiple thoughts that lead to stress gets to rest. For a few hours the rushing thoughts stop and when you wake up they should have reduced. 

2. SLEEP HELPS YOUR BODY FIGHT BACK

The cleaning the brain of toxins happens when you are asleep.Prolonged lack of sleep can disrupt your immune system. Making it harder to fend off bugs, and once you're sick, lack of sleep can make it harder to recover.  Your bodies soldiers are working at restoring your body during this time, meaning that sleeping acts as a painkiller for your body. Resulting in psychological and physical restoration. 

3. SLEEP CAN IMPROVE YOUR SEX LIFE

Getting enough sleep is important especially if you are sexually active. Neither you or your partner want to fall asleep during sex. I went to go see a movie a few years ago where a man and woman were having sex and the man fell asleep while inside the woman. NOT COOL DUDE! The woman was incredibly offended, she left thinking that she was the reason he fell asleep. Lack of sleep is what caused the man to pass out during sex. Sufficient sleep has been proven to help men and women, mostly men last longer during intercourse. 

4. INCREASES THE RISK OF WEIGHT GAIN

Studies show that people who sleep less than seven hours a day are 30% more likely to be obese. This is relatable content for me because when l am up all night binging on

Netflix series all l can think about during the best scenes is that last piece of fried chicken l left in the fridge or the snacks l left in my purse. When you are asleep you can dream about the food that you are craving, and even get to eat them,

then you’ll only be obese in your dreams. 

5. INFERTILITY

This is a new one, even for me. Research states that sleep disruptions can reduce the  secretion of reproductive hormones resulting in trouble conceiving. I repeat, when asleep a lot happens inside your body and lack of sleep may result in dire consequences. 

Please leave a comment and let us know what you think about this week's list and if it was helpful.