Health Benefits of Sleep

Adequate sleep as a component aspect of healthy living cannot be taken for granted


Sleep is essential for helping a person maintain optimal health and well-being. When it comes to their health, sleep is as vital as regular exercise and eating a balance diet. Sleep is the natural state of rest during which your eyes are closed and you become unconscious. A period of sleep is especially a moment where the entire body is relaxed and put to momentary rest. In our present day, living in Nigeria and other countries does not always embrace the necessity for adequate sleep. But for one to keep fit and healthy, it is very important that people make an effort to get enough sleep regularly. Several studies and researches by scientists revealed the effects of sleep deprivation. The researchers concluded that sleep has links to several brain functions, this includes:

• Concentration
• Productivity
• Cognition

In addition, some recent studies in the journal of child psychology and psychiatry showed that children’s sleep patterns can have a direct impact on their behavior and academic performance. Sleep needs vary from person to person depending on their age. As a person ages they typically require less sleep to function properly. According to the CDC center for diseases control the breakdown is as follows:

New born (O – 3 months). Sleep from 14 – 17 hours.
Infants (4 – 12 months) 12 – 16 hours
Toddlers (1-2 years) from 11 – 14 hours
Pre-school ( 3-5 years) 10 – 13 hours
School age ( 6 – 12 years) 9 – 12 hours
Teenagers (13 – 18 years) 8 – 10 hours
Adult ( 18 – 60 years) 7 – plus hours
Adult (65 + years) 7 – 9 hours

A lot of benefits can be derived and experienced too from proper and adequate sleep. Adequate sleep helps the body’s ability to regulate food intake correctly. Getting sufficient amount of sleep can help boost a person’s athletic performance. This goes further to explain that the body heals during sleep. Sleep lowers the risk of heart attack, helps to build energy, better coordination, from adequate sleep. Sleep has links to people’s emotional and social intelligence. Someone who does not get adequate sleep is more likely to have issues with recognizing other people’s emotions and expressions.

Also, sleep helps to reduce stress, depression, hence there is link between sleep and mental health. Sleep is a vital often neglected component of every person’s overall health and well-being. Despite the socio-economic upheavals and insecurity issues, it is quite pertinent that every individual gets adequate sleep so the body stay fit and ready for each day’s activities.