The Power of Sleep: A Secret Weapon for Great Health
- James Bowers III
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
The Power of Sleep: A Secret Weapon for Great Health
Vocabulary & Phrases:
Denying (deny):
Definition: To say that something is not true.
Example: You can't deny that cigarettes are bad for you.
Consequently:
Definition: the same as “because of this…” or “as a result…”
Example: He worked late into the night; consequently, he felt exhausted the next day.
Underestimate:
Definition: To think that something is less important than it actually is.
Example: Many people underestimate the value of exercise, but it has so many benefits.
A Vital Role:
Definition: An essential part in a process or situation.
Example: Human Resources plays a vital role in hiring new employees.
Rejuvenate:
Definition: To make someone or something feel or look young, healthy, or energetic again; to make something new again.
Example: when I am tired, a Red bull or a double shot espresso rejuvenates me..
Quick on Our Feet:
Definition: Able to think and react to things very quickly.
Example: Amanda is great at answering questions in meetings, she is always quick on her feet and gives great answers without needing time to think.
Deprivation:
Definition: when there is not enough of something that is needed (most commonly used to talk about sleep)
Example: In the Army, they train soldiers to deal with sleep deprivation so they are prepared for war, which usually does not allow for much sleep.
Especially:
Definition: used to identify one thing as more important than all others..
Example: I love Indian food, especially the spicy pav bhaji.
Inflammation:
Definition: A bodily reaction to an injury or illness that usually involves swelling and redness.
Example: When I broke my ankle, I had a lot of inflammation in my leg, so I took some medicine.
Mitigate:
Definition: To reduce the negative effects of something.
Example: Planting more trees will mitigate the effects of climate change.
Sufficient:
Definition: Enough of something.
Example: Before I can get a visa for the USA I need to prove that I have sufficient funds for my travel, so I had to show them my bank account.
Contribute:
Definition: To help (someone or some group) do something or achieve something.
Example: (1) Maggie never contributes during the meetings, she just sits at the table and checks her phone or stares out the window. (2) I hated doing group projects in school because my partners usually never contributed, they just wanted me to do everything.
The Power of Sleep: Your Secret Weapon for Optimal Health
There is no denying that we live a faster paced life than ever before in human history, and consequently, it is no surprise that many people underestimate and undervalue the importance of a good night’s sleep. However, science is consistently showing us that sleep plays a vital role in maintaining both physical and mental health.
When we sleep, our bodies rejuvenate; sleep allows our bodies to repair our cells and tissues. This process is what helps us keep a strong immune system and good overall health. Furthermore, having enough sleep keeps us clear minded and quick on our feet. Studies have proven that sleep deprivation can significantly impair our ability to concentrate, make decisions, and remember information.
Our bodies operate on a 24-hour cycle, this is what we call the “circadian rhythm”. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule helps regulate this rhythm, and gives us better sleep quality. In addition, having enough sleep is essential for balancing our hormones, and our hormones affect almost everything in our body, especially our mood and overall health.
Getting enough sleep can also help strengthen our immune systems. When we sleep, our bodies produce special proteins called cytokines, which help fight infection and inflammation. Regular sleep can also help mitigate the negative effects of stress, anxiety, and depression, which, as we all know, can negatively impact our health.
What's more, recent studies have shown that people who have “good sleep habits” are more concentrated, have a healthier weight, and even earn more money. These points have been proven in several studies and were even mentioned in the New York Times. Furthermore, psychologists agree that sufficient
Sleep significantly reduces depression and anxiety in adults and teens.
Sleep also plays a very important role in memory. During sleep is when our brains have a chance to organize and store information, and this is a key part of how we learn and remember.
Overall, prioritizing sleep is one of the most effective ways to improve your overall health and well-being, and the benefits range from better mental health and mood, to better physical health and even contributes to weight-loss. Most doctors recommend at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night to get the most benefits.
Reflective Questions:
How many hours of sleep do you typically get each night?
Do you think you get enough sleep? Why or why not?
Do you feel tired when you wake up or do you feel energetic?
How do you feel when you don’t get enough sleep?
Do you think technology (phones, computers, etc.) affects your sleep? How?
Have you ever slayed up all night without sleeping? if you did, why?
Do you have a routine before you go to bed or when you wake up in the morning?
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