Why You Should Prioritize 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night

In our digital age, we often find ourselves glued to screens and devices, sometimes neglecting one of the most fundamental aspects of our well-being: sleep.

Getting enough sleep is crucial for both body and mind. It's important to ensure you're sleeping for at least 8 hours each night. But how can we achieve this? A study by the European Heart Association found that those who don't get enough sleep or fail to meet the recommended sleep hours for their age are more at risk. For instance, the study showed that such individuals have a 48% higher chance of heart disease and a 15% increased risk of stroke.

On the flip side, when we allow our bodies the proper rest they need, which takes time to transition from light to deep sleep, we kickstart a process of mental and physical rejuvenation. What else happens during this time? Relaxing the muscles during sleep helps prepare your body for the day ahead.

During sleep, memory capacity is enhanced through a neurological process that supports information processing, learning, and memory retention.

Sleep allows for cellular 'repair' and regeneration processes, as the body 'rebuilds' damaged tissues and 'maintains' other internal systems. All these processes during sleep actually solidify and 'organize' emotional functioning, ensuring emotions can continue to operate effectively.

A 2011 study found that insufficient sleep increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, skin aging, memory impairment, depression, dizziness, and chronic migraines.

Doctors recommend a minimum of eight hours a day, and no less than six hours of sleep.