Our bodies need sleep – this is something that is backed by scientific data and the fact that our bodies do feel tired and wish to lie down at the end of the day.
But the burning question in everyone’s mind is this: how much sleep do humans really need?
It is sometimes easy to make excuses, saying the body can easily adjust to your schedule but, in so doing, we are depriving ourselves of something that plays a major role in our physical health. For, you see, sleep is not just for the weak but even for strong, healthy people!
Sleeping for 7 to 8 Hours a Day
Sleep plays an important role in repairing the body’s organs and tissues, particular the heart and blood vessels. If you do not get enough sleep, how can your body repair these?
Extensive research has shown and proven that the human body needs around 7 to 8 hours per day so it can replenish its stocks and keep going. This is really proven by science. For example, in one study, people who slept for 8 hours per day had better brain and body function than those who only got 4 or 6 hours of rest.
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
People who do not get enough sleep have increased risks of developing heart problems, kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The immune system is also not at its best condition when you are perpetually sleep deprived. This is the reason why you are more prone to getting sick when do not get enough sleep.
Did you know that sleep deprivation also increases the risks of obesity? When you are not fully rested, the body produces more hormones called ghrelin that make you feel hungry. The more ghrelin your body produces, the hungrier you feel.
Recurring sleep deprivation makes the body more tired as the days go by, leading to decreased brain and body function! This could lead to safety issues, not just diseases. For example, hundreds of accidents happen each day because one person fell asleep on the wheel.
Effects of Oversleeping
We now know that the lack of sleep leads to a lot of problems but did you know that oversleeping also has its disadvantages? This could also lead to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and mortality!
This only shows that too much of something is really bad. We best stick to the 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day.
Watch more about this topic in this YouTube video by AsapSCIENCE:
