6 Health Benefits Of Sleep (According To Science)

Everyone knows that you need sleep. And there are few better feelings in life than sinking into a comfortable bed after a long and tiring day.

But for many people, sleep isn't a priority. The thing is, it should be. There are many health benefits of sleep, so not getting enough can take its toll on your body.

We've pulled back the covers on some of the key advantages of sleep, by looking at some studies and scientific evidence that support each claim.

But first, how much sleep do you need?

How long should you sleep for?

For most people, around eight hours of sleep is recommended per night. The actual amount that you need may vary slightly; some people function better on more sleep, while others don't need quite as much.

But on average, you'll need somewhere between seven and nine hours to really kick start your morning and keep you feeling energised throughout the day. If you wake up still feeling tired, or you find yourself wanting to take a nap, you probably aren't getting enough sleep at night.

Most of us lead very busy lives.

Work, maintaining a house, raising a family, busy social calendars:

All of these can mean that sleep gets pushed way down your list of priorities. But to reap the health benefits of sleep, you need to get enough.

Here are some reasons why:

1. Sleeping can reduce anxiety

Sleep is important for your mental wellbeing as well as your physical health.

A 2014 study showed that people who don't get enough sleep are more likely to suffer from negative thoughts. In the study, the participants who stayed up late at night and got less sleep were more likely to have recurring negative thoughts.

The people who went to bed earlier and got more sleep per night displayed fewer signs of anxiety.

If you're an anxious person or find yourself having negative thoughts on a regular basis, getting more sleep can help.

2. Sleep is vital for your memory

Memory loss can be an indicator of a lack of sleep.

A study in 2014 showed that the brains of sleeping mice who had learned a new skill were more active – making new connections which form memories. Those which were sleep deprived did not remember the information as well.

The study shows the importance of sleep in remembering information. Although your body rests while you're asleep, your brain is busy making new connections and memorising the information you've absorbed.

If you get enough sleep but are concerned about memory loss, particularly as you age, consider visiting your doctor.

3. Watching your weight? Sleep helps

Did you know there is a direct link between your weight and how much sleep you get? If you're trying to lose weight, or avoid gaining, then sleep is a vital part of your journey.

There have been several studies that support this theory, with findings including:

• People who lack sleep are more likely to eat high-carb snacks late at night.
• People who don't get enough sleep eat bigger portions, causing weight gain.
• Sleep deprivation leads to people craving high-carb and high-energy foods.

All of these factors can be a recipe for disaster if you're watching your weight. So resist the temptation of snacking on junk foods by getting enough sleep each night. Your body will thank you for it when you get on those scales!

4. Sleep helps you fight illness

If you often find yourself feeling under the weather, you might not be getting enough sleep. That's because one of the key benefits of sleep is that it helps strengthen your immune system.

5. You can focus and learn better

For children and students, sleep is vital in the learning process.

With concentration levels increased, learning is much more effective when you get enough sleep. So if you're a student who revises for exams or meets assignment deadlines by pulling an all-nighter powered by sugary energy drinks, you're probably not producing your best work.

The same applies in day-to-day life: Lack of sleep can cause you to lose focus at work, and can mean you are not fully alert. This is particularly dangerous if you work in an environment with heavy machinery, or when you are driving.

While some people might claim they can get by on little to no sleep, the truth is that we all need rest to be at our most alert.

6. Beauty sleep isn't a myth...

We've all heard that expression before, and it turns out that there is such a thing as “beauty sleep”.

How much sleep you get has a big impact on your physical appearance, particularly the health of your skin.

If you're sleep deprived, you'll probably start to see dark bags under your eyes.

And that's not all. If you don't get enough sleep, your body releases more of a hormone called cortisol. This breaks down the collagen in your skin, which is a substance that gives your skin its elasticity and smoothness. When broken down, wrinkles form more easily and your skin starts to sag.

So remember to get enough sleep to avoid premature ageing.

Do you get enough sleep?

Incredibly, it's thought that up to half of us in the UK get less than seven hours of sleep per night.

If you're one of these people, it's time to take control and start prioritising sleep, for your own good.

If you struggle to nod off at night, check out our guide to better sleep for help in drifting off.

Do you get enough sleep? Which of these sleep benefits has most surprised you?