IDEALLY YOU SHOULD INVEST 240 HOURS PER MONTH IN SLEEPING, WHY?

Here are some salient reasons why you should seriously consider this:

For starters, memory consolidation: During the deep stages of Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the brain consolidates daily memories. Adequate sleep enhances synaptic plasticity, allowing the brain to optimize its cognitive functions. This process helps streamline neural networks, improving cognitive efficiency and preventing information overload.

Sleep-deprived cramming for exams is not a good idea. Parrot-fashion learning and trying to regurgitate information accurately with a mind that is not well-rested is a recipe for confusion.

Adequate sleep ensures that cognitive resources are replenished, allowing you to maintain focus. Sufficient sleep fosters emotional resilience to better cope with stress and difficulties in decision-making and self-regulation. Depriving ourselves of adequate sleep is like living with a kind of hangover. We are there but not really firing on all cylinders.

Replenishment of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is essential for neuronal functioning, key to optimal cognitive performance during wakefulness.

Sleep helps regulate the production and activity of cytokines, which are signaling molecules involved in immune responses. Sufficient sleep helps reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory activation, including T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in elevated cortisol levels and impaired immune responses. Adequate sleep supports a healthy stress response, minimizing the detrimental effects of stress on immune function.

Enhanced wound healing and gut microbiota regulation are other benefits of sleep, potentially impacting immune function and susceptibility to infections.

There are many reasons for us to understand that sleep is essential to good health. In many European and South American countries, a siesta is a traditional way of resting the physical body but more importantly to rest the mind and replenish energies. Stress, anxiety, and anguish are said to contribute to the acidity of the body and oxidative stress.

Preventive health is a fundamental part of avoiding illness, and much of this has to do with traditional common-sense practices. Getting at least 8 hours of restful sleep each night, going to bed as early as possible, not watching TV before bed to avoid seeing stressful events which the mind will recall during sleep, completing our evening meals at least 4 hours before bed, and sleeping in as dark a room as possible are just a few tips.

Even physical evidence of a good night's sleep shows with fewer wrinkles on the face.

How many hours do you sleep on average during the week?

How many hours do you sleep on average during the weekend?

Atif Zafar David A. Pellegrini Armand Dorian, MD, MMM, FACEP Simon Sinek's The Optimism Company Allison Lane Michelle T. O'Connor Michelle Trieste Dr. Marcos Levy Kari Hess Juan Carlos Villalba