Sleep On It - How A Good Night Sleep Puts Everything Into Perspective
May 17, 2020
Trying times are exhausting. It can seem like every day is a battle, and this stress often begins to take its toll on your body and mind. One of your biggest defenses to this onslaught is actually adequate sleep. You may not realize just how important it is to include proper sleep into your daily routine, especially when you're going through a challenge. Keep reading, and I'll share with you how a good night's sleep puts everything into perspective and helps to keep you in prime condition to handle the battles that come your way.
Better Memory
Sleep can improve your memory, helping you to learn more. In fact, while you're asleep, your brain is busy "practicing" skills you've learned during your waking hours. This process is called consolidation. Essentially, sleep helps to cement what you've already learned into your working memory. This is definitely advantageous during periods like starting a new job or finishing a degree.
Improve Creativity
Along these lines, not only does your brain consolidate memories while you sleep, it also reorganizes them in a way. During restful periods, your brain is working to restructure your memories from the day, which can actually result in improving creativity. Such a benefit is great for helping you to complete creative projects. It's also beneficial in spurring out-of-the-box thinking, which can always come in handy during periods of life transition.
Increased Attention
Sleep deprivation adversely affects a wide array of brain functions. Cognition and concentration are two of the big ones. It's been shown that lack of sleep can cause similar effects as alcohol intoxication. That's pretty significant. On the other hand, adequate sleep improves cognitive functioning and attention. When you're struggling with a problem or a difficult time, you definitely want to be at the top of your game in order to have your best shot at overcoming the issue.
Less Depression
One of the biggest zappers of productivity and motivation is depression. Falling into such a state during tumultuous times is bound to be more likely for those predisposed to depression. You can try to keep that from happening by getting into a regular sleep routine. Poor sleep has a strong link to depression. Working to form a solid sleep habit may help keep depression at bay.
Better Social Function and Emotional Regulation
When you're exhausted, you're more apt to miss certain social cues such as tone of voice or change in facial expression. These problems can lead to interpersonal misunderstandings or other unnecessary difficulties. Lack of sleep also puts you at the mercy of your emotions, rather than in control. When you're emotional, you're not likely to make your best decisions. Sleep helps you to feel better prepared to handle your interactions with others and with your own emotions.
These are some of the top benefits of a good night's sleep. You'll feel more alert, steady and excited about facing each day when you've gotten adequate sleep.
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