If you think you can train yourself to function on less sleep without any negative effects, think again. Research shows that getting enough quality sleep is vital for mental health, physical health, and quality of life.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, it’s not just your productivity, focus, and mood that suffer. Lack of sleep has been linked with an increased risk for chronic health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
Lack of Sleep May Increase Risks
Sleeping helps to heal and repair your heart and blood vessels, which may be why lack of sleep is linked with a greater risk for heart disease and stroke.
Lack of sleep can also lead to other health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure—additional risk factors for heart disease. In addition, sleep deficiency can increase the risk for depression and kidney disease.
Aim for 7 to 9 Hours
To avoid health problems and reap the benefits of sleep, adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently declared the dangers associated with insufficient sleep as a public health epidemic. Learn more about the importance of sleep—as well as tips on how to develop better sleep habits—by visiting www.cdc.gov/sleep.
Director of Outpatient Sleep Services, Alison Kole, MD, says, “At SMG, our providers work together as a team to provide comprehensive care aiming at improving your quality of life. Sleep is the cornerstone and we are here to help.” |