The Power of Sleep

As technology changes our way of life and 24-7 has become a routinary pace, millions of people around the globe are putting their health in so much risk, limiting not only their quality of life but, even the length of it in total jeopardy.

The massively growing temptations of the internet, seduction of video games and hundreds of various TV channels from different nations in all field of interests; are just one of the few major factors that keep us up 'til wee hours and for all we know it's slowly by slowly taking a toll on our health.

A recent survey is saying that 40% of Americans get less than hours of sleep.

Dr. Lawrence Epstein, author of The Harvard Medical School Guide to a Goodnight' Sleep said that "the link between sleep and health is getting clearer and clearer."

Why do we have to sleep?
Scientists are saying that sleep helps our bodies recover from fatigue and stress giving it a chance to recharge; maintain and repair. Also, it does so much wonders to our brain; it enhances our ability to concentrate, focus, and improved our problem solving skills. It complements our memory and can cause us positive moods.

To sum it all, it makes us happier, healthier, smarter, prettier and even sexier.

SLEEP POWER No.1: Look best and feel best!
When we don't sleep well; we feel wasted when get up in the morning. There's this feeling of stickiness and unusual humidity within our body. We then tend to drag through the day; feeling slouching all over the place. It's no wonder we look awfully terrible after a sleepless night.

The reason is we jeopardize our growth hormones. These hormones are responsible for keeping us looking good, especially as we age. According to Mehmet C. Oz, MD, a heart surgeon and coauthor of the YOU health books, the levels of growth hormones drop dramatically between the ages of 20 to 60.

"It's rejuvenating and when you have high levels of it, you have muscle mass, definitely a better skin and you look sexy. So you might want to keep your growth hormone as high as possible and the best way to do it is to simply just sleep!" Dr. Oz says.

SLEEP POWER No.2: Bigger, better brain and a smarter you!
While sleeping our brains are utilizing important neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate from lack of activity. It is during deep sleep that our brain shuts downs and get relieved of controlling our emotions, decision-making analysis and even social interactions; making it possible for us to maintain better emotional and social functions when we get up.

A good sleep contributes a lot to our ability to concentrate and focus on our priorities, enhances our decision making skill, enable us to have good memory and optimist mood.

SLEEP POWER No.3: Less stress and be happy!
Science had proven that people with insomnia produce higher rates of stress hormones than the others. It put their bodies into a hyper-aroused state that will make it difficult for them to wind down and go to sleep.

Sleeplessness can trigger depression too and vice versa.

"People who don't sleep get depressed and depression causes insomnia, so it's a vicious cycle," says Dr. Oz. "The more and better we sleep, the more we feel happier and relieved," he added.

SLEEP POWER No.4: Lose some pounds and be sexy!
As sleeplessness produce higher rate of stress hormones, stress triggers people to eat more and gain more weight.

Recent studies are further saying that people who get inadequate sleep are more likely to gain more pounds. "With sleep deprivation, we see a reduction in metabolism and an increase in appetite," say Michael Breus, PHD, author of Good Night: The Sleep Doctor's 4-Week Program to Better Sleep.

Sleeplessness or inadequacy of sleep lowers the level of leptin, the hormone that can cause us to feel full, and, increases levels of ghrelin, which is the total opposite of leptin; the hormones that make us feel hungry and craving at all times.

Breus even said that sleep deprivation influences our food choices; can make us crave for high carbs and high in sugar foods.

SLEEP POWER No.5: Be healthy!
"Anything that disturbs the quality and quantity of sleep can have serious and long-term consequences to both our body and mind," says Dr. Gerard T. Lombardo, director of the Sleep Disorder Center for the New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn.

Sleeplessness triggers for blood pressure to go up. Heart rates and BPs are typically at their lowest during sleep. And the association of hypertension to sleep duration was established and proven by quite a number of research findings , even linking the latter to increased heart attacks, diabetes, obesity and some other more health issues rampant these days.

"When people are deprived of sleep, there are higher levels of stress hormones in their bodies and an increased inflammation, and these can both decrease our bodies ability to utilize our immune function," explains Dr. Phyllis Zee, director for Center of Sleep and Circadian Biology at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Sleeping well helps us fight illnesses, well in fact, it even make our flu shot work better.

A Total Makeover Awaits You!
From physical to psychological, sleep really does a lot of wonders. The benefits extend beyond just feeling good when we wake in the morning. It just doesn't perk us up and recharge our energies but, it actually recharges our whole system, from our brains, all the way to our immunity it could do so much magic to us and to our body.

We are very exposed to this common line that whenever we see someone rugged or haggard looking, we hear "go get some beauty rest, sleep!" It's true, it's very true!

Beauty sleep isn't a myth, it does lessen appearances of fine lines and wrinkles, it makes our skin glow and because we sleep well, our aura would be radiant.

And of course a healthy and happy you could always bring out the beauty in you!

So sleep more and wake up for a whole new you!