A good night’s sleep is incredibly important for our health, as important as eating healthy and exercising.
Unfortunately, Nigerians are now sleeping less than they did in the past. And its very is bad.

Here are 6 reasons why a good night sleep is important.

1. Sleep Affects Emotions And Social Interactions

Researchers believe that poor sleep affects our ability to recognize important social cues and process emotional information.
One study even found that people who had not slept had a reduced ability to recognize expressions of anger and happiness.

2. Sleep Improves Your Immune Function

Even a small loss of sleep has been shown to impair immune function.
So to keep your immune function in check it is advisable to get atleast 9 hours of sleep per night.

3. Poor Sleep Is Linked To Depression

This is a fact, Mental health issues, such as depression, are strongly linked to poor sleep quality and sleeping disorders.
It has been estimated that 90% of patients suffering from depression complain about sleep quality.

4. Sleep Affects Blood Sugar

Sleep restriction affects blood sugar and reduces insulin sensitivity.
Poor sleep habits are also strongly linked to adverse effects on blood sugar in the general population.
Those sleeping less than 6 hours per night have repeatedly been shown to be at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

5. Poor Sleepers Have A Greater Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke

Sleep quality and duration can have a major effect on many risk factors.
These are the factors believed to drive chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke etc.
Short sleepers are at far greater risk of heart disease or stroke than those who sleep 7 to 8 hours per night.

6. Sleep Is Important For Various Aspects Of Brain Function.

This includes cognition, concentration, productivity and performance

All of these are negatively affected by sleep deprivation.

Studies have shown that short sleep can negatively impact some aspects of brain function to a similar degree as alcohol intoxication.
Good sleep, on the other hand, has been shown to improve problem solving skills and enhance memory.



http://listwand.com/2016/11/6-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important/

Cool straight-to-the-point write-up


Here's another "Key" reason why a good night's sleep is "really" important:

Two of the human body's vital group of hormones known as the mineralocorticoids (predominantly Aldosterone) and the Glucocorticoids (predominantly Cortisol) are "optimally" secreted in the early morning hours after (or towards the end) of a good night sleep.

In other words, the secretory rates of Aldosterone and Cortisol is "high" in the early morning (but low in the evening) which is what makes it possible for you all to face the day with boundless enthusiasm only to find yourself so stressed out and fatigued towards day's end.


Why must you know this?

Well, it's simply because Aldosterone is "your life-saving hormone" (among its many functions, it helps regulates your sodium-potassium content in your kidneys and in your extracellular fluid) while Cortisol is "your anti-stress hormone" (helps you cope with the actual destructive effects of life's intermittent mental and physical "stresses" So much medical Jargons right?

Okay in a nutshell, You need to sleep real good most times so that your body can actually secrete these two "key/vital" hormones "optimally" as they peak in secretion in the early morning hours towards the end of or just after a good night sleep.

Aldosterone is your body's life saver.... Without it, your kidneys will crash and you will suffer cellular chemical imbalance which can lead to a whole lot of trouble in your body. You know the importance of sodium in your cells and kidneys right? Well that's where Aldosterone comes in.

Cortisol is as equally vital as Aldosterone because without it, you won't naturally cope with the all the mental and physical stresses you meet daily. This is why when you dont sleep well for days, you'll find out you'll go "useless" for days because your body cannot cope with the stress of what you really want to give your mind and strength to. Cortisol is your life-cope-with-stress hormone. Cortisol is one of the top reasons why your body is resilient even in the most dangerous of stressful situations.

Okay... That's it... It's funny I said, "in a nutshell" only to type all that up there? *smiles*

Anyway... Now I trust with the points of the OP and my little contribution, y'all will take sleep a little more seriously.