Sleep Your Way to Becoming A Better…
Student:
There is lots of evidence to show that sleep optimizes mental performance. According to the Society for Neuroscience, sleep deprivation reduces blood flow to the brain and linked to impaired cognitive function and behavior. Learning requires focused attention and a sleep-deprived person cannot do it efficiently. Memory requires consolidation of information and sleep plays a major role in retaining information. Research from Harvard Medical School show evidence that learning and memory requires adequate sleep.
Athlete:
Physical exertion depletes fluids in the body and breaks down muscles. Sleep helps the body to build energy stores such as glycogen and carbohydrates. Some sports like golf, tennis and basketball requires precision and accuracy which good mental clarity play a major role in.
Parent:
Adequate rest allows you to be more aware and responsive to the needs of your children. Above and beyond the safety factor of driving your children around, you set a good example to your children that rest and sleep are important.
Employee:
Alertness, concentration, and efficiency are all directly related to rest and recovery. Sleep deprivation has been shown to reduce brain activity as measured in electroencephalogram (EEG).
Person:
The importance of sleep starts with being in a good mood, having a good attitude and mental health to have the best foot forward. The ability to lead a rewarding life requires good well-being. Sleep allows an individual to make good decisions
Consequences of Sleep Deprivation:
There is lots of evidence to show that sleep optimizes physical as well as mental performance. According to Society for Neuroscience, sleep deprivation reduces blood flow to the brain and linked to impaired cognitive function and behavior. Exactly what does this mean and how does it apply to me, an athlete, a student, a mom, or someone on vacation you ask.
It means when you don’t sleep, you are unable to function to the best of your ability. For someone who stays up late to study for an exam, it’s time poorly spent because the sleep deprivation will not allow you to retain the information. A mom who drives her children to school sleep deprived is at greater risk for a car accident. An athlete who trains hard and doesn’t have good sleep habits will not recover well. Someone who is on vacation won’t be able to enjoy the experience of discovering a new place as much when their sleep cycle is disrupted. And being the best you can be requires good mental health, well being, and physical fitness. This is all made possible by good sleep hygiene.
The Solution:
There’s no need to beat yourself up as you are in control of your sleep habit. It’s just a matter of starting with the first night. Follow these effective ways to reset your sleep cycle, provided by Web MD
Sources:
National Safety Council
National Sleep Foundation
National Institute of Health
