Darkness Awaits

Although I love hot, humid weather, I look forward each year to the long nights of darkness to catch up on sleep.

Like a bear, I hibernate, mostly on weekends and vacations, clothed in my pajamas for as long as possible. My obsession with sleep may seem like a guilty pleasure, but it is essential in achieving a healthy lifestyle.

The Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests there are many reasons one should commit to healthy sleep patterns. According to the study, “sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory. Through a process called memory consolidation, people who slept well after learning a task did better on tests later.”

This same study proved that adequate sleep keeps your hormones balanced. Sleep deprivation can affect the way our body processes and stores carbohydrates. This, in turn, causes weight gain by altering the levels of hormones that affect our appetite.

In addition, the “Healthy You” section of the October/November issue of AARP magazine listed sleep as the #1 risk cutter in the fight against aggressive breast cancers. Because sufficient sleep is ‘responsible for regulating our body’s natural DNA repair’, if it is disrupted so is the DNA correction.

Other studies have proven inadequate rest is linked to colds and flu, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, depression and even obesity. To combat against these ailments and enjoy other health benefits—embrace the darkness!

Establishing consistent sleep patterns of at least six hours of uninterrupted sleep per night can restore and repair cells, regulate hormones and rejuvenate the immune system. Similar to eating a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise, sleep is a source of fuel and energy for the body. While the days are short, take advantage!

For questions or comments email: suzannemcginnis@me.com