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Stress and Sleep

As May's Better Sleep Month continues, we look at the link between stress and sleep, and why you shouldn't fall into the vicious cycle.

Sleep and stress are inextricably linked. If you don’t get enough sleep, you’re generally stressed. The more stressed you become, the more difficult it is to sleep.  It’s a no-win situation for many.  Here are six reasons why it’s crucial to get adequate sleep, according to Harvard Women’s Health Watch.

• Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later. 

• Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.

• Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.

• Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.

• Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.

• Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer. 

If you’re looking to achieve a stress free life via a good night’s sleep,  check out The Company Store (www.thecompanystore.com) for a broad selection of PrimaLoft® pillows, comforters, duvets, body pillows, mattress toppers and blankets that will wrap you in hypoallergenic, PrimaLoft® luxury.

Want to learn the "Art of Power Napping?"  Visit our previous Better Sleep Month blog post.  

-Rich Meddaugh