Feeling sluggish? There’s a good chance that’s because you’re not getting good, restorative sleep at night. The quality and time we spend snoozing is directly responsible for how energetic we feel throughout the day. Good sleep means sustained levels of vigor all day long, which in turn translates to greater success in mental, physical and spiritual endeavors. Perhaps that’s why there’s such a clear link between high-performers and good sleep.
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But how, exactly, does sleep translate to bigger bouts of energy? While the mechanics of sleep still aren’t fully known, sleep scientists do have some insight into how our resting hours help recharge our batteries for the day ahead. Here are some of the details on why investing in that Tempur-Pedic you’ve been eyeing can help you stay peppy all day long.
Try Our Memory Foam Mattress to Feel More Rested in the Morning!1. Good Sleep Regulates the Body’s Energy Molecule — The biggest connection between sleep and energy has something to do with ATP, the body’s “energy molecule.” This molecule works with enzymes to transfer energy to cells, helping repair and replenish your body’s most vital functions while you rest. Deep sleep enhances the body’s ability to make ATP, ensuring that you stay energized in your waking hours.
2. Good Sleep Regulates Blood Sugar — In addition to facilitating ATP production, sleep also helps the body maintain healthy blood sugar levels, which may contribute to how energized you feel throughout the day. When you don’t get good sleep, you’re more likely to experience spikes in blood sugar levels, which can make you crave sugary, fatty foods that slow you down and cause you to crash. This is also part of the reason why those with poor sleep habits are at a higher risk for developing diabetes.
3. Good Sleep Staves Off Disease — If you find that you have chronic colds or are seemingly more susceptible to viruses than others, it may be due to a lack of quality sleep. Sleep supports the immune system and helps us fight off invaders, so those who don’t sleep enough are more likely to pick up viruses such as the common cold. Of course, if you’re sick, you’re going to feel drowsy and zapped of energy. On the other hand, if you invest in your sleep quality — say, with a cozy new memory foam mattress — you’ll feel healthier and enjoy sustained energy levels all day.
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4. Good Sleep Facilitates Hormone Regulation — Melatonin, a hormone the body procures in response to darkness, is key to your body’s ability to manage its circadian rhythms. In other words, melatonin is responsible for telling your body when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to wake. When you sleep or spend time in the darkness at night, the body is able to produce enough melatonin to keep this system in check, ensuring that you don’t feel drowsy during the day when you should feel wakeful.
5. Good Sleep Stabilizes Mood — When we sleep, our bodies are programmed with the tools they need to manage emotions and work out complex feelings. This is part of the reason why sleep is so closely linked with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. In fact, studies show that up to 20 percent of people with insomnia will develop major depression. Naturally, mood and energy are closely linked as well. When you feel happy, you tend to feel energized and vice versa.
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Ultimately, the best thing you can do for your energy levels is make sure you’re practicing good sleep hygiene and snoozing in an environment that facilitates quality rest. Whether that means upgrading to an amazing new Purple mattress or investing in some heavy-duty window treatments, your body will thank you when you wake up feeling happy and full of energy.