Sleep - some facts and myths

We all know that having a healthy diet and exercising daily are keys for good health. Today, i am going to introduce you all with the third key and that is "sleep".

Sleep is essential for our bodies to build up energy reserves and regenerate body cells and tissues. Many people don't give much thought about the quantity and quality of sleep.

Let's look at some of the facts and myths associated with sleep.

1. If i can't get enough sleep at night, no problem, i can sleep a little longer next day.

Myth: There is no way you can catch up your lost sleep the day after. An old saying goes " Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." How true! The basic idea is to make a habit of sleeping and getting up at the same time everyday. You must sleep at night to get up refreshed next day.

2. Sleep can do wonders to my skin.

Fact: A good night sleep routine can improve how your skin looks and feels the next day, as at night skin sensors are at work to clean up any damage from the day. You will look more beautiful and refreshed next morning with no dark circles under your shiny eyes. And, if you want healthy, radiant and glowing skin - use a gentle cleanser to remove the build-up of grease, grime and make-up from your face and apply night cream body lotions and creams. Pamper yourself!

3. Disturbed sleep doesn't affect our health.

Myth: If you are not able to sleep properly or are waking up several times during night then it can raise the risk of cardiacdefine diseases, high blood pressure and other health problems. Studies show that by reducing sleep by as little as one and a half hours for just one night reduces daytime alertness by about one-third.

4. Sleep can affect mood.

Fact: Lack of sleep can make one irritable and is linked to poor behavior and troubled relationships, especially among children and young people. Insufficient sleep can also increase the risk of depressiondefine. People who have their beauty sleep look cheerful and full of energy.

5. Good night sleep helps in recovering fast when you are ill.

Fact: Our body produces hormonesdefine in large quantity while we are asleep which aids in fighting various infections. Thus, a good night sleep helps in keeping us away from illness and if we fall ill then it helps us in recovering fast.

6. Old people need few hours of sleep.

Myth: There is no correlation between old age and sleep pattern. As an adult one needs eight to nine hours of sleep daily.