What are the benefits of good quality sleep?

A good night's sleep is incredibly important for your health. In fact, it's just as important as eating healthy and exercising. Also, National Sleep Foundation  has considered sleep as an essential for a persons well being. Unfortunately, now a days the working environment is interfering with natural sleep patterns. People are now sleeping less than they did in the past, and sleep quality has decreased as well.

Below listed points will help you to know about some importance factors of 'a good night's sleep'.

• Sleep keeps our body and mind relaxed, and tension free.

• A well slept person is more agile, concentrated and effective in his work. Sleeping also helps in keeping our eyes healthy. Sleep also helps you pay attention, make decisions, and be creative.

• A person on an average should sleep 6-8 hours a day which seems hard to follow for some people because of their hectic working schedule.

• Sleep helps your brain work properly. While you're sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day. It's forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information.

• Studies show that a good night's sleep improves learning. Less slept persons are more irritated and have to indulge more than normal efforts for doing their normal or routine job.

• One study of teenagers showed that with each hour of sleep lost, the odds of becoming obese went up.

• According to a research with every decrease in 2 hours sleep is equal to have 0.05 blood alcohol level.

• Sleep also affects how your body reacts to insulin, the hormone that controls your blood glucose (sugar) level. Sleep deficiency results in a higher than normal blood sugar level, which may increase your risk for diabetes.

• Sleep also supports healthy growth and development. Deep sleep triggers the body to release the hormone that promotes normal growth in children and teens. This hormone also boosts muscle mass and helps repair cells and tissues in children, teens, and adults. Sleep also plays a role in puberty and fertility.

• Your immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy. This system defends your body against foreign or harmful substances.

• There should be balance between sleep, diet, physical activities and proper rest for staying fit and healthy.