The Importance of Sleep
Contributed by Shyla Woodkurm — Speak Up for Kids Student Intern, a homeschooled student with a passion for writing and music, self-taught pianist, and historical fiction author who enjoys editing, storytelling, and faith-based community engagement.
Overview
As human beings, we need food, water, and air to survive. However, we also require sleep. Sleep is the time when you close your eyes and rest, allowing your body to drift into a state of unconsciousness. During this time, your mind can relax while your body works hard to replenish and prepare itself for the new day!
Why is sleep so important?
What does sleep help with? Sleep plays a crucial role in many different aspects of your life and can improve the following:
Memory - Your brain processes all the memories you experience throughout the day and stores them in different parts of your brain, increasing your long-term memory.
Metabolism - Your metabolic health allows you to burn more calories; poor metabolism can lead to weight gain.
Reduced Stress - With rest, your body has a chance to escape the day’s stress and go into a dreamy state where you no longer worry about the day's problems. Often, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and prepared for the next day instead of overwhelmed and stressed.
Energy - Energy conservation is important to help you sustain a healthy life and feel like your best self! Energy makes you feel alive and vibrant.
Health Immunity - The immune system relies on sleep, which helps your body fight off any infections or bacteria, promoting overall improved health with better sleep.
Brain Development - During sleep, your brain grows and develops, making it vital for children in order to get enough rest for proper brain development.
What happens when you are sleep deprived?
Sleep deprivation occurs when you don't get enough or any sleep, which causes your body to malfunction. When you are sleep-deprived, you will find it difficult to focus on simple tasks and details, and you’ll often feel exhausted throughout the day. This can also cause you to take brief naps because your body cannot stay awake for long.
Sleep is super important for everything: mind, memory, stress, energy, and your immune system. Without sleep, we could quickly die from exhaustion. That is why sleep deprivation can be very harmful to the body, because in severe cases, you could lose memory, get very sick, and develop anxiety attacks. Even becoming delusional happens when people have been sleep deprived. It is not worth taking the risk. You should always consult a doctor if you are having significant problems falling or staying asleep.
Tips for a Healthy Sleep Schedule
Teenagers are recommended by the National Sleep Foundation to get between 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Brain development still affects teenagers as much as children, making sleep essential. Physical growth, mental health, the immune system, and memory recovery are also enhanced when teenagers receive a full night's sleep.
The younger you are, the more sleep you generally need. For example, infants (4-12 months) require 12-16 hours of sleep, which is why babies often sleep. Elementary school children need between 9-12 hours of sleep each night to stay healthy and function well. Adults, aged 18 and older, require at least 7 hours of sleep, but many do not get enough because of busy schedules and work commitments. Nevertheless, sleep is equally important for adults and children, as it helps them perform daily tasks without feeling tired or distracted.
What can you do to improve your sleep?
Sleep without a light and embrace the dark. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm. When lights are kept on, it interferes with your circadian rhythm and tricks your body into believing it is daytime, making it hard to sleep. This also includes blue-light devices such as electronics, phones, computers, tablets, and any electronic devices emitting bright light.
Your body naturally decreases in body temperature overnight, normally by 1-2 degrees. When sleeping in a colder environment, it helps your body realize it’s time to fall asleep and improve your overall night’s rest.
To improve your eating habits and sleeping routine, try to avoid consuming heavy foods in the 2-3 hours leading up to bedtime. A small snack, such as a banana or a handful of almonds, is acceptable. However, keep in mind that eating too close to bedtime can make your body feel more awake and energized, so it's best to limit your food intake during this period.
Final Thoughts
Next time you go to sleep, remember how important it is that you sleep well so that you’ll have fulfilled days and do your best at everything. Your mind, health, heart, emotions, and mood will all improve with a good night's rest.
