Better Sex Life
If you're exhausted, chances are you'll turn down more things than normal, and one of those things could be sex. Up to 26% of people polled by the National Sleep Foundation said that their sex lives suffer because they are too tired. Get more sleep, and you'll get more. There's some incentive for you!
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via _karenkaka/Twenty20
Beauty Rest
Get more sleep, and your skin will look healthier, more fresh and beautiful! Lack of sleep causes blood vessels to dilate, creating dark undereye circles. When you sleep, your skin renews itself, repairing, restoring and balancing. So Mom was right along — you really do need your beauty sleep.
Heart Healthy
People with insomnia have a greater risk of heart attack, according to a study in the medical journal Circulation. It is also good for your overall health, and aids in preventing heart disease, diabetes and obesity, thus possibly helping you live longer. If your health isn't reason enough to get those extra ZZZs, I don't know what is.
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via kyradescent/Twenty20
A Great Mood
Getting enough sleep affects your mood, and if you are lacking in the sleep department, you're more prone to be irritable and cranky. Sleep deprivation is a commonality in people with depression and anxiety disorders. This doesn't just affect you, but it also affects those around you. So getting enough sleep is good for everybody!
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via movethemoon/Twenty20
Improved Memory
Sleep is needed for memory consolidation, and it's proven that when you get a good night's sleep, your memory (both factual and procedural) improves. Get more sleep and you'll perform better on tests, in meetings and in everyday tasks. This is why babies need to sleep so much — they're learning at a rapid pace!
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via ravyn_art/Twenty20
Metabolism Booster
Sleep is good for your waistline and your energy levels. Skipping sleep can sabotage your overall fitness by messing with your metabolism. It will lower your leptin levels (the "satiety" hormone) and raise your ghrelin levels ("hunger" hormone), making you hungry more often. So sleep for your health!
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via katpage/Twenty20
Less Sickness
Did you know that sleep is linked to a better immune system? Sleep 8 hours or more each night and you are less likely to get sick than those who clock in under 7 hours. Sleep is necessary for a normal functioning immune system, and more sleep never hurts!
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via yedol/Twenty20
A Clearer Mind
Sleep loss can make thinking more difficult, and may hinder your ability to make sound decisions. You are also far more likely to be scatterbrained and make simple mistakes when you're running on little sleep than when you are well rested. More sleep can improve your decision-making and your cognition.
Less Stress
The more sleep you get, the more you will be able to tackle everyday challenges that you are faced with in the workplace and at home. Sleep gives you a clear mind that makes it easier to deal with stressful situations and thus causes you less stress! Deep breaths!
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via paolo2012/Twenty20
Less Pain
Sleep may help people better deal with chronic pain, since sleep is correlated with the systems that regulate and control pain. Sleep more and you may deal with less aches and pain, as well. More sleep may also prevent injury, since you're more prone to accidents when you're overtired.
We know that life happens and careers and parenthood may make it difficult to get enough sleep each night, but it is overall better for your health and happiness if you start to make sleep a priority in your life. Even just little changes like trying to get to bed earlier or napping when the baby naps can make a huge difference!
Love this? Follow us on Pinterest.
Image via roshana_/Twenty20
