Getting sufficient sleep is as important as good nutrition and exercise for our health. A good night's sleep is the foundation of good health. Sleep is controlled by circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is a biochemical cycle, that repeats every 24 hours and directs sleep, wakes up time, hunger, body temperature. While we sleep, our body restores energy, repairs cells, releases hormones. The body gets healed and recovered fully and this is the reason why we feel energized, fresh after waking up. 

World Sleep Day

World sleep day is celebrated on the third Friday of March every year. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of sleep. Sleep is the basic need of your body just like food. This year's theme is ‘Quality sleep, sound mind, happy world’. An average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep per day. In this time period, our brain and body repair and restores themselves.

Consequences of poor sleep

Increases the risk of diabetes – Sleep deprivation resembles insulin resistance. Insulin is responsible for converting glucose into energy and breakdown fats and proteins. If the body starts resisting insulin, glucose levels will get raised which can further result in diabetes.

Increases the risk of BP – Lack of sleep would impair the body's ability to regulate stress hormones and lead to high blood pressure.

Affects memory power – Poor sleep adversely affects the brain’s ability to remember important things.

Weakens the immune system – The body’s immune system acts as the body’s defense mechanism that protects the body from various foreign invaders. Insufficient or inadequate sleep can weaken the body’s immune system. This way the body will get easily susceptible to various diseases. 

Increases the risk of CVD – Poor sleep negatively affects blood pressure. And unstable blood pressure can increase the risk of various cardiovascular diseases.

Increase the chances of weight gain – Insufficient sleep will imbalance the hormones present in the body that can lead to the craving for unhealthy food products. And this ultimately results in weight gain. When you stay awake for a longer time, you will definitely feel hungry and will end up eating an extra meal, which further results in weight gain.

Benefits of sleeping

1. Good physical and mental health

2. Weight control

3. Sharpens the memory

4. Increases productivity by improving concentration, ability to focus.