Ana Maria Contrary to popular beliefs, sleep is actually an active period in which plenty of important processing and restoration happens.
One of the main roles of sleep is helping solidify memories. As we sleep, pieces of the information our brain took in the entire day are transferred from short-term memory to stronger long-term memory. This process is called consolidation.
Studies have shown that people tend to perform better on memory tasks and also retain information easier after sleep.
Our bodies need to restore, grow muscle, synthesize hormones, repair tissue and rejuvenate, but all of these can be achieved through long periods of sleep.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, during high-quality sleep, your body restores many functions, such as temperature regulation, a strong immune system, steady hormone levels, and good appetite. All of these factors play a role in how much energy you have. In order to operate at your peak potential, you need to maintain these functions through quality sleep.
Even though sleep satisfaction is a subjective evaluation, feeling good about the sleep you get leads to positive emotions, greater energy and can have a significant impact on your overall well-being.
Our bodies burn calories even as we sleep. Especially during the rapid eye movement sleep, when the brain is highly active, we burn the most glucose. The heart rate and blood pressure also rise during this time, which leads to even more calories burnt. Other calorie-burning activities that happen during sleep are food digestion, as well as repairing any damage that occurred on a cellular level during the time we were awake.
So, how many calories can you burn? According to the National Sleep Foundation, the amount of energy you use during sleep depends on a number of factors, including breathing, blood circulation, and keeping your organs running. Weight also plays a role in determining how many calories you can burn during sleep, as there is more energy required if you are carrying more pounds. The number of calories you burn is also influenced by the number of hours you sleep.
Sleep also helps with muscle repair after a tiring workout. The body produces its own muscle-building hormones while you sleep, including human growth hormone. Sufficient sleep also improves muscle coordination, as sleep is crucial for consolidating muscle recall linked to body movements. All of these improves the athletic performance.
The exercise-sleep connection works both ways: Strength training itself can help you get a better night’s rest. Strength training may help you fall asleep faster, have better quality sleep, and wake up less frequently throughout the night. If you don’t like to lift, try running, yoga, or aerobics instead. Any type of exercise is beneficial when it comes to improving your sleep quality. (Source: National Sleep Foundation)
References
National Sleep Foundation – Why Do We Need Sleep
National Sleep Foundation – Why Improving Your Sleep Satisfaction Can Increase Your Energy Level
National Sleep Foundation – How Sleep Affects Your Immunity
National Sleep Foundation – How Your Body Uses Calories While You Sleep
National Sleep Foundation – How Sleep Adds Muscle
