Sleep is a vital activity that the body requires in order to function properly. This is a condition in which the functioning of certain body systems slows or stops, with only a few of the most important systems remaining operational, such as breathing and blood flow.
The advantages of adequate sleep affect various aspects of each person’s daily life. Although there is no debate about the importance of getting enough sleep, many people are unaware of how many hours of sleep they require or why it is so important.
The amount of sleep a person requires is determined by a variety of factors, including their age.
• Infants (ages 0-3 months) need 14-17 hours a day.
• Infants (ages 4-12 months) need 12-16 hours a day.
• Toddlers (ages 1-2 years) need about 11-14 hours a day.
• Preschool children (ages 3-5) need 10-13 hours a day.
• School-age children (ages 6-12) need 9-12 hours a day.
• Teenagers (ages 13-18) need about 8-10 hours each day.
• Most adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day, though some may require as little as 6 hours or as many as 10 hours.
• Older adults (ages 65 and older) need 7-8 hours of sleep each day.
• Women in their first three months of pregnancy frequently require several extra hours of sleep than usual.
Getting enough sleep can help maintain the mind healthy and the body’s systems running smoothly, however, a lack of sleep can have a significant impact on everyday activities and even be harmful one’s health.
What effect does your sleep have on your health?
1. Healthy thoughts and emotions
Sleep deprivation makes it difficult to interact socially and understand people’s emotions. A person who gets enough sleep has a healthy mind and become more alert to tasks, make quick decisions, and learn new things faster. These items, we know, are critical to each person’s productivity in their daily lives, whether at work or at school.
2. Helps the body repair Itself
Sleep is a time to relax, but it’s also a time for the body to repair damage caused by stress, UV rays, and other forms of hazardous exposure. Deep sleep triggers the release of hormones that promote healthy growth, increase in muscle mass, regulate puberty and fertility, and repair cells and tissues.
3. Stronger body resistance
Adequate sleep is also associated with stronger body resistance as there is a peak of important components of the immune system during this time. If you get enough and at the proper time, your immune system can effectively defend against infections that cause disease.
4. Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Blood pressure is usually reduced during sleep. Thus, lack of sleep can predispose one to worsened Hypertension, heart disease (Coronary Heart Disease) and stroke.
5. Enhances memory
Deep sleep is a critical time for your brain to form memories. During the 3rd stage of non-rapid eye movement stage of your sleep, the brain organizes and consolidates memories. Then at the rapid eye movement stage of sleep, these memories are cemented. Lack of sleep will affect one’s ability to remember important details.
The overall health and functioning of certain organs such as the heart, blood, liver, and kidneys are still linked to each individual’s adequate sleep. If you do not get enough sleep each day, you are more likely to develop diseases such as stroke, heart attack, kidney and liver problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Make sure to get enough sleep to stay healthy!
Reference:
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/default.htm
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important
https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-health-benefits-of-a-good-nights-sleep-2223766