10 benefits of a good sleep

SHA Wellness Clinic

June 27, 2013

The body is governed by a biological clock that marks the time when it should perform each of its functions. Some of those related to beauty and youth occur at night, while you sleep. Therefore it is very important to rest well and sleep well at night because it brings many health benefits. Dr. Vicente Mera, Head of the Sleep Unit at SHA Wellness Clinic, shares 10 benefits of a good sleep.

10 reasons for a good sleep:

1. After dark, the pineal gland located in the brain begins to produce melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep about 2 or 3 hours after start made. However, with the emergence of light ceases production of the hormone melatonin and disappears from the blood.

2. Almost simultaneously, between 7 and 8 am beginning to segregate the cortisol hormone known as waking hormone, and that the body needs to metabolize carbohydrates, which are those that provide energy for daytime activity. So, everything works better when we sleep well at night and live during the day.

3. Melatonin is a more potent antioxidant than vitamins C and E, and prevents damage and cell death, thus ensuring the good health of the tissues. Hence consider is the youth hormone and is designated as anti-aging substance. Sleeping well makes you look younger and better.

4. In deep sleep is produced growth hormone (DHEA) and the production peak is reached within two hours once the dream. The children used to grow and adults to delay aging and disease risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, skin breakdown…

5. The peak intensity of the skin cell regeneration occurs between midnight and 4 am.

6. Melatonin and DHEA also favor the production and growth of bones.

7. During a restful sleep, stress disappears and improves mental and physical health, as slow and deep breathing provides more oxygen to reach the cells concentrated.

8. There is evidence that sleep functions include not only the restoration of energy storage in the brain, but also the consolidation of memory. If you have an exam or an important presentation at work, you will have better results if you sleep well the previous night than if you stay awake trying to review your acquired knowledge.

9. When we sleep well, we have a stronger immune system. It is shown that people who sleep less than 7 hours a day have more probability to get ill than people who sleep 8 hours daily.

10. In addition, the night rest affects weight and body mass index (BMI). A study of the Washington Sleep Institute University showed that lack of sleep increases BMI, favoring obesity and overweight.

reasons for a good sleep