Top 5 Reasons Why More Sleep Means Less Stress
Ever tell someone that you’re not a morning person? While you may believe you’re a night owl, science proves otherwise. Research has shown that we don’t do too great when the sun rises due to a lack of continuous sleep. Whether it’s because you’re only able to get a few hours of shut-eye a night or continuously toss and turn while trying to rest, sleep deprivation not only makes you want to pass out in the middle of the day.
A good night’s rest can help us alleviate the day’s stresses and keep our heads cool and ready to focus.
Still skeptical? We’ll explain how sleep can decrease stress hormones, anxiety, weight gain, and blues and increase your productivity. Plus, we’ll share a few of our favorite products to help you sleep better! Learn more about these benefits and what you can add to your life and make for a better night of slumber with our five reasons why more sleep means less stress.
5. Stress Hormones Decrease During REM Sleep
Between work, school, and other responsibilities, there don’t seem to be enough hours in a given day. And as the holidays are quickly creeping up, stress levels are at an all-time high. With everything on our to-do lists and one too many coffees, we’re wired by the time we hit the sack. But when we finally get to sleep, our stress drops tremendously.
According to researchers from UC Berkley, people’s stress hormones are significantly lowered when they enter REM sleep because norepinephrine, a stress chemical in our brains, is decreased to let our dreams sort through our memories of the day. Choosing suitable pillows, like Amazon’s best-selling pillow, will not only support your neck and help reduce headaches; it will always help you reach REM faster.
Need more ways to de-stress? Yoga can help! Check out these Top 5 Yoga Poses you can do before bed to obtain a more restful night’s sleep.
4. A Good Night’s Sleep Helps Curb Anxiety
This weighted sensory blanket by Zonli will bring new meaning to tucking yourself in at night. The blanket is meant to calm people who have a hard time sleeping or suffer from anxiety. And because it will make you feel like you’re swaddled like a baby, your brain will release serotonin — a chemical that helps us relax. You’ll feel like a new person when you wake up.
Best 5 Quick (and Fun!) Ways to Destress Everyday
3. Being Well Rested Means Being More Alert
According to some research, losing a few hours of sleep in one night can mess with your ability to drive the next day, similar to how alcohol can lead to drunkenness. So getting a whole night’s sleep is best for staying alert, especially during the entire time of stress.
This illuminated alarm clock by Hatch is the perfect tool to help you fall asleep quickly and not fall out of bed in the morning.
2. Snoozing More Can Keep You Away From Packing on the Holiday Pounds
A balanced diet and workout plan are key to losing weight, but so is having a good night’s rest. Research has shown that because sleep and metabolism are controlled by the same part of the brain, you feel hungrier when both are deprived, which can lead you to eat more gingerbread than your body can handle.
If you like to tingle your senses, a diffuser will make your environment calm, serene and smell nice, too. And if you breathe through your mouth when you sleep, the stream of air can help keep your air passages from getting clogged.
1. Sleep Makes You Happy
If you’re still not convinced, sleep will turn that frown upside down. One study has shown that staying up all night can significantly affect your mood and, in turn, your relationship with others.
Blue light (the light from your phone, laptop, and table) interferes with your body’s natural production of melatonin (which regulates the circadian rhythm), causing restlessness. To be blunt, your smartphone and tablet are hindering your sleep. Thankfully, there’s now a solution that doesn’t require you to turn off your devices: Swanwick Sleep’s Blue Light Blocking Glasses.
According to a study by Swanwick, these blue light blocking glasses can help people get 36% more sleep when using devices daily!
One important key to getting a better night sleep: Your Mattress
There are some myths about when to replace your current mattress, but what it really boils down to is what makes you comfortable. Try out a few different kinds! Many online mattress manufacturers allow you to try it out and return if you don’t like it. Don’t you think spending on the one thing you use EVERY NIGHT is worth a little extra? Check out our best mattress reviews to help you decide which to choose!
Know more awesome benefits of a good night’s rest? Let us know in the comments below!
