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Sleep facts you may not know

Dr Roger Henderson
Reviewed by Roger HendersonReviewed on 29.04.2024 | 2 minutes read
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We have all been told sleep is important, but did you realise to what extent? Here are some shocking facts about sleep that may make you want to dive right into bed and get those recommended 7-9 hours!

Sleep is the most important thing for health

Sleep quality and quantity are more important for good health and weight loss than diet and exercise. This is because sleep impacts hormone levels including those linked to appetite, brain function, and exercise ability.

Sleep can boost your sex drive

Sleep impacts nearly every organ in your body and body systems such as your metabolism, immune function, and disease resistance. Getting enough good quality sleep can help protect you from heart problems and diabetes whilst also boosting your immune system and even your sex drive.

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Sleep can improve your memory

Whilst we sleep we consolidate information into our memory so getting good quality sleep can improve our memory and our ability to learn. Without sleep, we would be unable to maintain or form new memories.

You likely need more than 6 hours

The percentage of people who can survive on 6 hours of sleep or less without impairment to their daily functioning is estimated to be less than 1 in 20 people, so it is more likely that you are not the next Margaret Thatcher. Most people need around 8 hours. Studies have also shown sleep deprivation can give you as much impairment to your brain function as being legally drunk. This can be after around 17 hours without any sleep or if you sleep less than 6 hours for 10 days in a row. It is also similar to alcohol in that the more sleep-deprived you become the less you will be aware that your brain functioning has been affected.

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Dr Roger Henderson
Reviewed by Roger Henderson
Reviewed on 29.04.2024
EmailFacebookPinterestTwitter