SLEEPLESS, In...

     Certainly, there are MANY wonderful things to experience, in this, physical, lifetime, with a 'good-night's sleep, 'ranking right up there', in my opinion. On those, occasional, days, when I must 'face the world' on fumes, due to a, previous, night of restless-sleep, I am reminded JUST how vital quality-rest is. Waking-up 'tired' is never a good thing; knowing that I have a full-day ahead of me, without adequate-restorative-sleep to assist me, makes for a VERY long day. When I awake, already, looking forward to falling into bed, for the night, well...as I mentioned...VERY, long day ahead. The importance of sleep can NEVER be overrated; for, when we are in repose, LOTS of stuff is occurring within the ol' bod, helping to ensure us of, more, optimal, health. According to the 'Harvard Women's Health Watch', who list 6-reasons to seek sufficient slumber, an, occasional, restless-night is, but, a nuisance; yet, chronic, sleep-loss can interfere in, these, health-issues. 1) Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.
2) Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
3) Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.
4) Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.
5) Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.
6) Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer. Stop...They 'had me' at weight-gain! I sleep better, these days, than I did, several, years, ago, when my health was being challenged more greatly than today. Throughout my 'journey' back to better-health, I discovered the importance of sleep. The lack of restorative-sleep, which I experienced, on a regular-basis, several, years, ago, only added to my, already, debilitated-condition; And, today, although, in general, I feel, so, much, better, if I experience a poor-night's rest, I feel, pretty, crummy, throughout the day. When one is, chronically, unable to sleep well, it's important to, try, to discover, 'why' and, do something to correct the problem, in an attempt to stave-off the 'ravages' which may result and impact him or her. Today, I awoke feeling energized and refreshed, as I did, indeed, 'sleep like a babe' last night, and, not, so, great, the night before. What a difference a day makes! 'Golden slumbers fill your eyes, Smiles awake you when you rise...'~ The Beatles ~  Just Sayin'...ZZZZZZZZZZZZ