Doing nothing could be one of your best strategies for improved health. That is, nothing but sleeping 7 to 8 hours a day!
Fascinating research spotlights the intricate changes in body chemistry that happen during sleep—and how they’re thrown off track when we are deprived.
Biologic alarms triggered with fewer than 7 hours of sleep per night include:
- an overcharged nervous system,
- excess cortisol, and
- a perverse imbalance of hormones that lead to both greater hunger and a diminished sense of fullness.
The perfect recipe for adding extra pounds, sweeter blood, and more heart disease.
How much does too-little sleep contribute to heart disease?
A lot! A review of a half million individuals showed a 50% higher risk of developing or dying from heart disease when sleep dropped to 5 to 6 hours per night, compared to 7 to 8 hours.
Similar risks are seen with sleep apnea, a problem where the number of hours in bed may seem adequate yet the quality of sleep is disturbed. Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- loud snoring,
- not feeling refreshed after a long sleep, and
- extreme drowsiness during the day (a major cause of traffic accidents).
If you have these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor who, might consider a sleep study to confirm the problem and guide treatment.
When it comes to optimizing your health, some steps involve taking action. And others, like getting enough sleep, simply require you to put on the brakes. Your body knows what to do, if you give it a chance.
Reference: Heart Disease and Sleep Study
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