Why Better Sleep Matters, and How to Get It!

You know that sleep is important. You probably know that you don't get enough. You might even know that the quality of your night's sleep determines its effect on your overall health and well being. But do you know WHY sleep is so important, and HOW you can improve your sleeping patterns?

The first and most obvious benefit of proper sleep is performance: the energy we have and our overall functionality throughout the day is directly determined by the amount of sleep we get each night. If we get too little or far too much sleep, we simply don't operate to our full potential.

But did you know that getting healthy amounts of sleep every night improves tissue regeneration and growth? Non Rapid-Eye Movement (REM) sleep promotes anabolic processes that heal wounds and produce growth hormones that enhances and maintains your body's total health. These anabolic processes also fortify your muscle tissue and your skeleton, which makes conditions such as osteoporosis and carpal tunnel syndrome less likely. A healthy amount of sleep every night even improves your metabolism!

Another benefit of healthy sleep is brain development, including the generation of brain tissue and memory consolidation. A good night's sleep promotes your brain's ability to store and retrieve information, optimizing your efficiency and even improving your mood with the release of beneficial neurotransmitters!

So, there are a lot of great benefits to getting healthy amounts of sleep. But what happens if you don't get enough sleep at night?

The average adult needs between seven and eight hours of quality sleep each night. If he gets less than that, his body begins to exhibit the symptoms of "sleep debt." Sleep debt is cumulative; the less sleep you get every night, the more fatigued your body will be. Your muscles will be more prone to aches and pains, and you will find yourself struggling to focus and concentrate on daily tasks. Long term risks of sleep deprivation include a decrease in overall immune system efficiency, sleep disorders, impaired motor functions, concentration issues, and the need for "micro-sleep" (likened to mild narcolepsy).
The question is, then: how do I get enough sleep at night?

The most immediate and effective answer is to sleep on the right mattress. Traditional innerspring mattresses, like the one you probably have in your bedroom right now, are not only havens for asthma-inducing dust mites and allergens, but they also press uncomfortably against some of your body's most sensitive pressure points. This leads to tossing and turning, and general restlessness. This will reduce the efficiency of your sleep every night.

Memory foam mattresses conform to the contours of your body for proper orthopedic alignment. This maintains your posture and minimizes pressure against your body, giving you complete comfort while you sleep. By supporting your spine, it minimizes the possibility of back pains and lets you sleep more comfortably so you won't ever find yourself sleep deprived. All you have to do is make sure you get seven hours of sleep at night; a memory foam mattress will ensure that those seven hours provide the most efficient, rejuvenating sleep possible for total body wellness and maximum performance.

This information was provided by Healco. Pay them a visit and learn how to optimize your nights sleep today with the use of a memory foam mattress!