At the end of a long day, it’s tempting to binge watch your favorite shows, browse social media, interact with friends, or even tackle a few chores before finally climbing into bed.
Most people don’t think much about when they call it a night or how many hours of sleep they get……but they really should.
Why?
There are so many reasons to go to bed earlier and get more sleep. If you’re ready to learn more, let’s dive right into the benefits of calling it a night sooner.
1. Higher Quality Sleep
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as “catching up” on sleep you’ve lost by snoozing the weekend away.
The only way to achieve high-quality and genuinely restful sleep is to go to bed at a reasonable time, allowing your body to properly cycle through the phases of sleep that recharge your brain and body.
The perk? You’ll feel way more rested in the morning and see improvements in memory and cognitive function.
2. More Energy
Whoever was responsible for putting you to bed as a child probably pleaded with you to fall asleep, but the reason may never have occurred to you until adulthood.
Going to bed at a reasonably early hour allows your body to recover from the day, promoting better energy levels and motivation to take on whatever the next day brings.
3. Improved Focus and Memory
Studies continuously confirm that getting enough sleep is directly related to your short and long-term memory functions.
The relevance of memory is far more important than just recalling your favorite ice cream flavor when you were 8 years old: a functional memory is essential in learning new processes and remembering old ones so we can navigate daily life without much difficulty.
A healthy memory also helps you focus, which comes in handy for fulfilling responsibilities at work and school.
4. Increased Productivity
Students and hard-working professionals alike tend to pull the occasional all-nighter to meet deadlines.
But does staying up late really help you get caught up or get more done?
Statistics have demonstrated that poor quality or insufficient sleep deprives you of the ability to be fully productive.
Why?
When you’re exhausted and sleep-deprived, your brain doesn’t notice simple mistakes or details relevant to producing quality work.
5. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Even if you’re not able to fall asleep, it’s better to rest however you can instead of viewing those waking hours as an opportunity to tackle items on your to-do list.
Try clearing your mind when it begins to wander, and focus on your breathing. Keep your eyes closed, and do your best not to worry. Also key: be mindful of muscle tension and relax any areas you feel tightening up while you’re trying to rest.
Practicing meditation and mindfulness while you’re trying to fall asleep will help your body and mind learn how to wind down at bedtime (so you can get better rest and reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety throughout the day).
6. Fewer Colds
That’s right: going to bed earlier and getting sufficient sleep is an excellent way to bolster your immune system, which makes you less vulnerable to severe cold symptoms.
7. Weight Maintenance
It’s a little known fact that a healthy sleep schedule directly correlates to a balanced metabolism.
While diet and exercise also play a major role in weight maintenance, studies show that getting enough quality rest helps regulate blood sugar and supports healthy digestion.
8. A More Positive Outlook
When you’re tired, it’s more difficult to view any situation in a positive light.
Exhaustion can make you more irritable and prone to negative thinking. Many people feel that they engage in more arguments, road rage incidents, and feel generally unsatisfied when they haven’t had enough sleep.
Simply getting to bed a bit sooner can have an immensely positive impact on your mood, behavior toward others, and outlook on life.
Why?
Getting enough sleep allows your brain and memory to function at a higher level, with more awareness, patience, and empathy.
9. Healthier Skin
At night while you’re sleeping and your body isn’t preoccupied with other functions, your cells do the most turnover (regeneration). Increased cell turnover means you’ll have a brighter, more glowing complexion when you wake up.
Pro tip: if you’re tempted to skip your evening skincare routine, you might want to think again. Nighttime cell turnover results in greater absorption of serums and moisturizers, making your products more effective.
10. Disease Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the most compelling arguments for saying “no” to yet another episode or allowing texts and social media to cut into your sleeping hours is that proper rest is one of your best defenses against chronic illness.
Inflammatory diseases, Type 2 Diabetes, and even certain heart conditions are linked to poor sleeping schedules. Although it’s not the sole cause and insufficient rest doesn’t always lead to serious health conditions, it’s certainly something to be aware of if you’re rethinking your sleep routine.
Conclusion:
Now that you’ve seen a basic overview of how a sufficient night of sleep can benefit your overall health and well-being, it’s time to implement a nighttime routine that will help you stick to a reasonable bedtime.
Best of luck, and enjoy the positive effects of quality rest!
