Six Reasons Not to Scrimp on Sleep

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http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/516861/?sc=dwhn

Newswise - A recent survey found that more people are sleeping less than six

hours a night, and sleep difficulties visit 75% of us at least a few nights

per week. A short-lived bout of insomnia is generally nothing to worry

about. The bigger concern is chronic sleep loss, which can contribute to

health

problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a decrease in the

immune system's power, reports the Harvard Women's Health Watch.

While more research is needed to explore the links between chronic sleep

loss and health, it's safe to say that sleep is too important to

shortchange. The

Harvard Women's Health Watch suggests six reasons to get enough sleep:

1. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to

memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who

'd slept

after learning a task did better on tests later.

2. Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by

affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by

altering

levels of hormones that affect our appetite.

3. Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep

during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as

medical errors,

air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.

4. Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to

concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to

do

the things you like to do.

5. Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to

hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.

6. Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity

of the body's killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight

cancer.

Yanosz Descouedresz

Email:

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yanoszd

I sometimes pity people who

have never felt just cause

to share the bond between two souls,

one with hands, and one with paws.