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What Can 8 Hours Sleep Do?

December 1, 2020

We know we need it – but we rarely get it. 7-8 hours of sleep is recommended for most adults, but many Australians are functioning on much less. For some, operating on 5-6 hours per night might even be a point of pride. But getting enough sleep is a necessity when it comes to our health. Here are just 10 things that 8 hours of sleep does for you.

  1. You’ll live longer: The bottom line is getting enough sleep helps you live longer. People who get less than 6 hours per night are 12% more likely to have a premature death.
  2. Your heart will stay healthier: Sleeping less than 5 hours per night increases your risk of a heart attack by 45%! Without enough sleep, your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart attacks increases dramatically.
  3. You will be less likely to develop diabetes: Sleep helps us regulate our blood sugar levels. When we don’t sleep enough, our blood sugar tends to stay higher for longer, increasing the risk of developing diabetes.
  4. Your immune system will be stronger: The more we sleep, the better we are at fighting off infections. Particularly during this pandemic, we need to give our immune systems every chance to stay strong!
  5. You will have fewer migraines: Doctors have found that sleep-deprived patients are more likely to suffer from migraines. Although we aren’t sure why, it seems sleep plays an important role in preventing headaches and migraines.
  6. You won’t be as hungry: While you sleep, your body produces leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full. But if you’re not getting enough sleep, it can be difficult to regulate hormones, leading to food cravings and increases in appetite. This is one reason why sleep deprivation is a risk factor for obesity.
  7. Your skin will look better: Reports show that your skin recovers from ultraviolet light and minor trauma better when you are getting enough sleep. As a result, your skin will look better.
  8. You will drive safer: There’s a reason fatigue is one of the top 3 killers on the road. Sleep-deprived drivers perform as poorly as those with a blood alcohol content of 0.07.
  9. You will learn more: If you are sleep deprived, it will be harder to concentrate on new skills during the day. More importantly, scientists have shown that your brain processes these new skills and information when you sleep.
  10. You will feel happier: Sleep is crucial for regulating our emotions. Without it, we can become more easily irritated, have more negative thoughts, and even lose our ability to interpret events as rationally.

If you are having difficulty falling or staying asleep, or snore and choke when asleep, speak to a family doctor or a Sleep Specialist. Start the journey of becoming a better-rested, healthier version of yourself.