The role of sleep in health and bodily function

The place of sleep in our lives is massively underestimated as one of the greatest natural healing responses that the human body has. Our bodies are amazing in what they do for us on a daily basis. We ask a lot of our bodies, sometimes too much, but they will always rise to the occasion and do their utmost to allow us to do and achieve all that we ask of it. Okay, so let’s put this in perspective… for us to complete one simple movement, a series of actions must take place within the body in for this to occur. To begin with we have the thought to raise our arm, then the brain will send a message to the arm to raise it. From this point the arm is raised, and the endgoal is completed. This all occurs when the brain sends a message down the brainstem, down the spinal column, which will then branch off to the arm and will then in turn activate the necessary muscles to move the arm. This is all done via an electric synapse that travels the length of our bodies. We are literally conductors of electricity!

 Now imagine if we were to do this on a much larger scale, such as in weight training where we are doing repetitive movements but with an increased load, which is for arguments sake 80% of our maximum. Now, the electrical synapse that is initially produced and will travel from our brain stem to our arm will need to be much stronger because we are asking more of our body. We are using more energy, and this makes us more tired. But again, the body rises to the occasion and the task will be completed. So with this in mind, we can see that when we ask more of our bodies we get more tired and we need greater rates of rest, and it is here that we see how beneficial the role of sleeping is in our lives.

We will spend roughly a third of our lives asleep or resting and this is because our bodies use sleep as a time of rejuvenation. Quality sleep in our lives is extremely important because when we are sleeping, our brain will release hormones that will aid tissue growth and will also allow us to heal from injuries or sore muscles from a hard workout – such as in the example above. Sleep can be considered to be the greatest healer, as our body literally regenerates overnight. A good night’s sleep will allow our body to defend itself from potential invading viruses or bacteria that might be lurking around in our bodies, and will allow our immune system to adjust itself through rest and therefore re-strengthen itself as a bodily defence.

Aside from the physical energy that our bodies expend and its need for rejuvenation, we use energy in a number of other ways that can run our bodies down to the point of exhaustion. In the modern age it seems we can never turn off, especially when everybody has mobile phones and emails and we are contactable at any hour of the day. These things can produce feelings of anxiety within us, feelings of frustration and mental tiredness. This is a not a good recipe for well-being. We can literally end up burning the candle at both ends which can in turn lead to being run down. In extreme cases, this could potentially lead to chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalitis (ME) or any number of issues that affect the immune system.

When we rest and allow our bodies to regenerate, we are doing just that- regenerating. When we sleep, our bodies actually produce increased levels of growth hormone, and this is an integral factor in rebuilding and repairing our tissues. This regeneration is beneficial in times of general bodily fatigue or after physically working our bodies where our muscles and tissues are given the chance to repair and grow after having torn the muscular tissue.

 Our bodies are amazing, they literally look after themselves! All we need to do is to do the right things so we will not run it down. This is quite easy to maintain aswell, all it requires is to not do things in excess such as drinking, eating the wrong foods and doing drugs, get the correct nutrition to allow the machine (our body) to run smoothly, and to exercise regularly to keep it in good, healthy working order. Adequate sleep is great for the proper function of our heart also. The role of sleep in heart health is that it gives the heart the chance to rest and take a break after being active and working hard for us all day. We need our heart, so make sure you rest it now and again to get the most out if it! Aside from what has just been mentioned, adequate sleep can provide us with clarity of thought which can make thinking a much easier process for us! Most important is the gift of increased focus that sleep provides. Focus is necessary in all our lives as it allows us to achieve what we want to do, reach goals and be tenacious in all that we do!

So, make sure you have that break, have a power nap or siesta… Your health and well-being depends on it!

Ben :-)