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5 Reasons Why YOU Need More Sleep

You are here: Home / Health & Wellness / 5 Reasons Why YOU Need More Sleep
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December 18, 2012 by Jimson Lee 3 Comments

Last Updated on April 10, 2013 by Jimson Lee

Sleep is one of my favorite topics, because that is when you really recover from your training.

I am guilty of not sleeping enough, like most North Americans who live and die by the alarm clock. 

Last summer on vacation, I “slept when the sun set” and woke up when “I felt it was time” to wake up (or the need to pee, whichever came first).  Sure enough, I was sleeping almost 10 hours a day, if not more, and I wasn’t even training then.

Here are some precursor articles to read:

  • Sleep Deprivation and Testosterone Levels

  • Why Sleep is Good for You

  • More on Sleep Deprivation

5 Reasons Why YOU Need More Sleep

1. Being More Sloppy and Clumsy

I look back at my blog at times and often I am shocked on how many grammatical and spelling errors I make.  I do proofread my own writing, but I feel getting out useful content is more important than being a Hemingway writer.

But I know when my writing doesn’t flow, it’s because I am tired.

Why is that?

Researchers don’t know exactly why, but sleepy people seem to have slower and less precise motor skills.

Clete Kushida, M.D., Ph.D., director of Stanford University Center for Human Sleep Research, said reflexes are dulled, balance and depth perception are compromised.  As well, since you might have trouble focusing, reaction time can be slowed!  Not good for doing Block workouts!

Did I mention reaction time?

2. Being Forgetful or a Scatterbrain

People blame old age for being forgetful, right?

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Or the myth of alcohol destroying X million brain cells for every drink you consume?

Too little sleep has been linked to a whole host of cognitive problems, like difficulty focusing and paying attention, confusion, lower alertness and concentration, forgetfulness and trouble learning, etc.

So next time you find yourself blaming who took your keys or remote control, count the number of hours you slept the past few nights.

Did I mention trouble learning?

3. Having a Cold… forever

Ever notice sometimes you can’t shake that cold or sniffles?

A 2009 study found that people who sleep fewer than seven hours each night have almost three times the risk of catching a cold than people who slept for at least eight hours, the LA Times reported.

I think your Mom could have told you that.

4. Being more Emotional (or Aggressive)

Ever have times when you see women crying easily over “nothing”, or children (and grown men!) being more hyper or aggressive?

Ever seen a small non-issue that puts a person into tears?

Sounds familiar?

A 2007 study found that sleep-deprived brains were 60 percent more reactive to negative and disturbing images.

"It’s almost as though, without sleep, the brain had reverted back to more primitive patterns of activity, in that it was unable to put emotional experiences into context and produce controlled, appropriate responses,"

5. You’re ALWAYS Hungry

This is true. 

I am always hungry.  But is it from lack of sleep?

Research presented at the 2010 meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior linked little shuteye with higher levels of the hormone ghrelin, the same one that triggers hunger.

See also  Research Review: Testosterone, Growth Hormone, Nutrition and Training

6. Others?

What are some other clues that you need more sleep, other than the obvious, like yawning profusely or falling asleep at the wheel?

Category iconHealth & Wellness,  Life & Culture,  Recovery Tag icontestosterone

About Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ventsi says

    January 4, 2013 at 2:55 am

    The importance of sleep must not be underestimated. It is crucial for our health and well-being, especially nowadays – time characterized by stress, confusion, fatigue, exhaustion, etc.
    Dr. Lawrence Wilson emphasizes this in an excellent way in his article here:
    http://drlwilson.com/Articles/sleep.htm
    Read it, please! It is a long article, but straight-to-the-point and you will learn something new.
    According to him, going to bed as early as possible (8-9 p.m.) is one of the most important things one can do for improving the sleep’s quality and restorative efficiency.

    Reply
    • Jimson Lee says

      January 4, 2013 at 2:58 am

      @ventsi, I agree 100%, people who live to 100 years old say sleeping “when the sun sets” and get up “when the sun rises” is the secret to longevity (along with walking 1 hour a day, and a lesser-meat, more-vegtable diet)

      Reply
  2. ventsi says

    January 4, 2013 at 4:24 am

    Hi, Jimson,

    That’s correct. “Early bird early sings”.
    Dr. Lawrence Wilson has hundreds of articles on his website about healthy lifestyle, natural treatment of different diseases, increasing vitality, etc.

    Concerning longevity, Dan Buettner from National Geographic spent several years examining the so called “Blue Zones” (the places in the world, where people live the longest, healthiest lives; his book is here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1426204000/thbosh-20/ ; on “youtube” you can listen to his lectures). According to him, the Blue Zones are:
    1. Okinawa, Japan
    2. Sardinia, Italy
    3. Loma Linda, California
    4. Nicoya, Costa Rica
    5. Ikaria, Greece
    (I don’t know why Vilcabamba, Ecuador, and Hunza, Pakistan, are not included).

    The people inhabiting Blue Zones share common lifestyle characteristics that contribute to their longevity – so called Power 9:
    • Just move – Active lifestyles, more than heavy exercise, is what leads most to longevity
    • Purposeful outlook — Have clarity about your role in life.
    • Down shift on stress — Blue zone cultures all have their own ways of shedding stress in life.
    • Eat to 80% full — Stop your meals when you are 80% full rather than totally full.
    • Plant slant — Meat is more of a condiment than a staple in most Blue Zones.
    • Wine @ 5 — Moderate drinking has positive benefits.
    • Belong to a community — Belonging to a faith-based community extends one’s life in general.
    • Loved ones first — Focusing on family in life and keeping family members close to home will improve one’s life.
    • Right Tribe — Having a social circle that promotes healthy lifestyles is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle yourself.
    …..

    Another book on this topic: ’50 Secrets of the World’s Longest Living People’ by Sally Beare ( http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Worlds-Longest-Living-People/dp/1569243484 )

    Reply

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