Researched and written by Isabella Howard

Sleep Saving the Day- Why Quality Rest Is Your Superpower.

Ever been pushed up against a deadline and decided to sacrifice your sleep to get those extra hours of productivity in? Nearly everyone has done it and honestly, particularly in Western cultures, it is often done on a regular basis and not even thought twice about. But, what people often don’t know is the detrimental impacts inadequate sleep can have upon our health.

Ironically, we need to open our eyes to what we spend a third of our life doing, yet so often under-value, take for granted or simply forget. We often try to kick unhealthy habits when awake, such as smoking or a lack of exercise, but how often do you do the same for your sleeping routine? 

Studies from the National Health Institute have shown that not getting enough quality sleep can create higher levels of the hormones that control hunger such as leptin, while decreasing one’s ability to respond to insulin. Having an irregular sleeping pattern confuses your body and the way it handles daily processes, such as the digestion of fats. 

As a consequence of this, there is a higher risk of developing chronic health problems, particularly high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity.

Of course, these risks do not fall solely on one’s sleep. But why not make small changes to a time of our day that we might not even notice, to gain unprecedented health benefits for those times we really need it?

A few things experts have said are important when it comes to a healthy sleep include: a consistent sleep schedule, limited screen time before bed as the blue light disrupts your cycle and staying active during the day.

Not only does a high quality slumber help to prevent illness and health issues, it is a free performance enhancer! (a legal one too!)
Consider sleep the secret weapon for peak performance. Athletes harness its power for muscle recovery and enhanced cognitive function. Usain Bolt says, “Sleep is extremely important- I need rest and recovery in order for the training I do to be absorbed by my body.” Moreover, it sharpens your focus, problem-solving skills, and decision-making capabilities- the interplay between sleep and emotional resilience is profound. A well-rested mind is better equipped to navigate stress, regulate emotions, maintain mental equilibrium and provide memory retention.

Not only this, a study from The Sleep Foundation shows that not getting enough sleep can lower learning abilities by as much as 40%! 

So, back to that late night cramming session… maybe less caffeine and blue screen and more sleep might actually work you wonders for that presentation due tomorrow!