Most of us understand that we “need” sleep, or we wish that would could get “more sleep,” however, there is so much more to sleep then we realize. Here are a few reasons why getting a good night’s sleep is so important:

When we are sleeping our bodies are healing, digesting and producing hormones.

When you have a cut or injury it is when you are sleeping that your nervous system finally gets a chance to shut off so your body can heal. Your stress hormones called cortisol get to take a break, which is why you feel good in the morning and why you wake up hungry.

When we sleep and sleep well, we feel mentally and physically healthier, plus we perform better during the day. This is partly due to the fact that many hormones are released during sleep, for instance melatonin. Melatonin controls your sleep pattern. Levels increase at night and make you feel sleepy. And while you are sleeping growth hormones get released to help you grow and repair.

Sleep can improve your concentration and productivity, especially if you are an athlete. It can improve your performance. Good sleepers tend to eat fewer calories.

And did you know that your brain is actually processing what it learned during the day and is sorting our stuff and filing it away? This is an important process for the creation of long-term memories.

Experiencing Poor Sleep?

So, what happens when we don’t sleep enough or sleep too much?? Well, poor sleepers tend to gain weight. It disrupts the daily fluctuation of appetite hormones.

They also have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke. And poor sleeping patterns can affect your sugar levels and put you at a higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Lack of sleep is also linked to depression, long-term inflammation of the digestive tract, irritable bowel disease, and your body’s inflammatory responses. Sleep deprived people can even lack in social skills and the ability to recognize people’s emotional expression.

Bottom line: we need to have proper sleep to be healthy as much as we need good nutrition and exercise.

Massage can help with promoting sleep and relaxation of the body and mind. Whether you are seeking the benefits of Massage Therapy and Holistic Nutrition in combination or separately Freedom of Movement is here to help. Check us out on Facebook or give us a call today (416) 738-1148.

Here’s to Your Health,

Karen