Seven reasons for getting a good night's shut eye

Remember the days when you woke up naturally, and felt amazingly rested and refreshed, like you’ve had just the right amount of sleep?

Didn’t think so!

Feeling tired and pushing through, maybe with a coffee or some chocolate, seems to be the ‘normal’ way of coping with lack of sleep. Yet research suggests chronic sleep deprivation can affect your health, moods, relationships, and be the cause of forgetfulness and accidents.

If you’ve lost your mojo and want to get it back, start with getting more sleep.

Sleep is like nutrition for the brain – it allows you to concentrate better, you’re less likely to get sick, you’ll be more patient, it improves your mood, and it can help you manage your weight.

It has even been proven to make you more attractive.

Yes really!

Here’s my top seven reasons for why getting a good night's shut eye will set you up for more mojo-filled days.

1. Sleep More, Be Happy

Do you sometimes wake up cranky and irritable?

Do you ever have brain-fog and feel like you are hung-over?

Are you more likely to shout at the kids, snap at your boss, burst into tears, or start laughing uncontrollably like some crazy person?

There’s no doubt about it, when you get enough sleep you’ll be in a better mood. It won’t necessarily guarantee you a sunny disposition, but it’s almost impossible to get your mojo in full flow when you are tired. 

2. Sleep More, Do More

It’s pretty hard to climb off the “wheel of life” when you barely have the energy to get through the day. Missing out on sleep could be costing you a lot more than you realise. Whether it’s testing the waters for a new career, embarking on a new healthy lifestyle, or even just trying out that hobby you’ve been shelving for so long, chances are it’s not going to happen when you’re frazzled and burnt out. 

3. Sleep More, Focus More

Have you ever woken up after a bad night’s sleep feeling fuzzy and easily confused, like your brain can’t get out of first gear?

Sleep loss affects how you think - it impairs your cognition, your memory, your judgement, your attention, your creativity and your decision-making. You are also more likely to make odd mistakes - like leaving your keys in the fridge by accident!

Get enough sleep and you’ll get through the day feeling like you are winning rather than lagging behind. You will be more awesome and kick-ass at everything you do.

4. Sleep More, Relax More 

Anxiety is a big cause of tossing and turning, often because mums feel worried about their responsibilities. But the more tired you are, the more anxious you become and the worse you sleep – it’s a vicious circle! 

A poor sleep cycle causes your body to release excessive cortisol in the evening. Stress hormones allow you to keep going, and are often the reason why you might suddenly feel awake in the evening after feeling tired all day. 

With your central nervous system in overdrive, you’re “tired but wired” state keeps you buzzing all night long, you don’t get to bed as early as you should, and you are left groggy in the morning – so the poor sleep cycle continues.

It is hard to unwind at night when you’ve spent the best part of the day jacked up on caffeine and sugar! A better sleep pattern will help regulate your sleep cycle. This will help you to wind down and enjoy the benefits of relaxation in the evening, leaving you more refreshed in the morning and reducing your need for stimulants to keep you going throughout the day.

5. Sleep More, Glow More

There’s a reason why it’s called “beauty sleep”. Regular shut-eye actually makes you look healthier and more attractive.

A chronic lack of sleep has an incredibly negative effect on the way we look. When we are asleep, our cells rebuild and repair themselves. If you don't get enough sleep, your skin has less ability to repair and replenish itself. If you sleep badly, you are likely to become stressed, and this can cause the capillaries to tighten up, affecting the flow of nutrients to the skin and scalp and causing the skin and hair to look dull.

Poor sleepers are also more likely to show the signs of ageing. Think fine lines, uneven pigmentation, reduced elasticity and slower recovery time from sun exposure. A good night’s sleep will do more to make you look younger, healthy and attractive than any expensive beauty treatment. Sleep is the most powerful rejuvenating treatment of them all.

It’s time to get your Mojo Glow on!

6. Sleep More, Live Well

Health and wellness is the cornerstone of a life full of vitality, mojo and sparkle. Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to general health and wellness. Study after study has found a link between insufficient sleep and some serious health issues, like heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, obesity and depression. It can even help you live longer – studies have found people who routinely sleep for fewer than six hours a night have a higher risk of dying sooner than people of similar age who sleep for seven or eight hours a night.

Lack of sleep can also lead to increased pain. Backache, tummy ache, headache, when you’re tired it seems that everything hurts. Physical repair takes place while you’re sleeping, and it happens in the first half of the night – generally around 10pm to 2am. If you miss out on those vital first few hours your body doesn’t have enough time to rejuvenate your muscles or cells.

7. Sleep More, Weigh Less

Getting enough sleep can help you maintain your weight - and conversely, sleep loss goes along with an increased risk of weight gain. In fact a recent study revealed the risk of developing obesity rose 23% with just 6 hours of sleep per night, 50% with 5 hours per night, and 73% with 4 hours per night.

Skimping on sleep sets your brain up to make bad decisions. It’s a little like being drunk – you don’t have the mental clarity to make good decisions. Plus, when you’re overtired, your brain’s reward centres rev up, looking for something that feels good, usually junk food. So, while you may be able to quash comfort food cravings when you’re well rested, your sleep-deprived brain may have more trouble saying no. 

SO HOW MUCH SLEEP IS ENOUGH? 

The recommended amount of shut-eye you should be getting a night is 7-9 hours (so long as you’re fit and healthy).

Don't obsess too much though; you’ll know when you’ve not been getting enough sleep.  Apart from the obvious of feeling tired as soon as you open your eyes in the morning, other symptoms such as a foggy “hung-over” feeling, headaches, feeling over-emotional, or a general crankiness are all signs that you didn’t get enough sleep.