Sleep: essential for our brain.

Undoubtedly, rest is its most obvious function. Lack of sleep guarantees a day full of discomfort; our ability to concentrate decreases, we are forced to consume excessive amounts of coffee to function minimally and even our mood is affected. Whether due to leisure, worries or work, sleeping little has a negative impact on our health.

Importance of Sleep

Sleep plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of people. Adequate rest safeguards our mental and physical health, as well as our quality of life.

While we sleep, our body is dedicated to strengthening brain health, preparing us for the next day and enhancing our ability to learn and memorize.

It also plays a vital role in our physical health. During sleep, our body repairs and regenerates. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.

Sleep also benefits the immune system, strengthening it against infections. It is essential in hormonal balance, which is related to regulating body weight.

Additionally, sleep regulates hunger hormones such as ghrelin and leptin, and affects insulin response. Poor sleep can raise blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of diabetes.

How Many Hours Should We Sleep?

We've been told that we should aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night. However, this doesn't always fit with our current lifestyles. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7 to 9 hours for adults and 7 to 8 hours for seniors.

But there are more factors to consider when determining our sleep needs, such as:

Do you feel productive and happy with seven hours of sleep?
Are you overweight or have other health problems?
Are you prone to illness?
Do you have trouble sleeping?
Do you rely on coffee to stay awake?
Do you feel sleepy when you sleep? driving?

Answering these questions can help you understand if you need to improve your daily rest.

The Myth of Recovering Lost Sleep

Even if we try to compensate for the lack of sleep by sleeping more on the weekends, the reality is that it is not always possible to completely recover lost sleep, especially if the deficit is large.

Trying to sleep a whole day to compensate can, in fact, worsen our sleep cycle.

The Siesta

Although not everyone can afford it, those who practice the siesta highlight its benefits: relaxation, reduction of fatigue, greater alertness, improvement of mood, performance and memory. However, an excessive or poorly scheduled nap can disrupt the nighttime sleep cycle. Ideally, it should be brief, 15 to 20 minutes, and take place in the early afternoon.