Establishing a Sleep Routine for an Improved Night’s Rest

Having a sleep routine and getting consistent sleep is extremely important if you hope to live a healthy life. On average, adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, while teenagers and pre-teens should get between nine and eleven hours. Toddlers and infants have an even higher need for sleep and should get an average of eleven to fifteen hours per night.

In this article, we’ll dig deeper into why exactly getting enough sleep and establishing a sleep routine to get the sleep you need is so important. We’ll also look at how sleep affects the body and the positive effects it can have.

Why is Sleep So Important?

There are obvious benefits to having an established sleep routine and getting enough sleep each night and effects that you can’t always see immediately. For example, people who get enough sleep are likely to be in better moods and have a more positive outlook on life. Adequate sleep leads to lower levels of depression and serves as an overall attitude booster.

However, there are also unseen reasons that sleep is so important. Getting the right amount of sleep for your age group will also help increase your ability to focus and solve problems. It will also improve your long and short-term memory and lessen the chances of suffering from conditions that result in memory impairment.

Does Sleep Have an Impact on Your Physical Health?

In addition to the mental and emotional benefits of sleep, it also impacts your physical well-being. Because a lack of sleep is more likely to make you tired the next day, you’re less likely to work out and stay in shape. You’re also more likely to partake of sugary or caffeinated foods and drinks in the hopes of a quick energy boost.

However, while these things might help you temporarily, they have negative long-term effects. Partaking in caffeinated foods and drinks will likely keep you awake for longer into the night and make it difficult to fall asleep. Therefore, not getting enough sleep is a revolving door of being tired, having a poor diet, and getting caught up in an unhealthy lifestyle. Once you start the cycle, it’s tough to put it to a stop.

Finally, sleep also positively impacts your immune system and will help you fend off illnesses. This is the reason you’re so tired when you’re sick. It’s because your body knows that it needs to rest to fully recover.