AS a society we have become obsessed with sleep – how much we’re getting, the quality and how to improve it.
And it’s hardly surprising, now that several new studies have touted the numerous health benefits of some extra shut-eye.
GettyStudies have suggested not enough sleep can increase your risk of cancer[/caption]
Even celebs like Jennifer Lopez have heralded sleep as the key to her seemingly ageless beauty.
For adults aged between 18 and 80, the NHS recommends a healthy sleep can range between six and 11 hours.
However, most Brits still only gets six hours and 19 minutes’ sleep a night.
But it’s important to not stress about not sleeping, Dr Sue Peacock, a consultant health psychologist says.
“Anxiety about sleep can lead to sleep disturbance and insomnia, which then creates a feedback loop that can make both conditions worsen,” she tells The Sun.
It’s important to remember that the “odd night” of poor sleep “isn’t going to do a great deal other than make you feel tired or perhaps a little tetchy,” she explains.
“It’s consistent lack of sleep that can be problematic,” she said.
Immunity
Not getting enough sleep can hamper our ability to fight bugs, Dr Sue says.
“The amount of sleep we get impacts directly on how well our immune systems work, and also on how parts of the immune system produces protective, infection-beating substances – called cytokines.”
According to the expert, these cytokines not only combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses, but also help you sleep – which gives your immune system more energy to defend your body against illness.
Weight gain
Other research suggests people who sleep fewer than six hours are at greater risk of obesity and diabetes.
“Whilst we are sleeping, hormones such as cortisol, leptin and ghrelin (which are responsible for regulating huger) are regulated, so long term lack of sleep increases appetite, overeating and weight gain,” Dr Sue explains.
Other scientists have warned that not getting enough sleep changes how the body deals with food, which could then lead to weight gain.
One study showed that men who ate a large bowl of chilli mac and cheese after four nights of bad sleep reacted differently to the food than those who were well-rested.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University said blood tests showed lipids (fats) from foods were cleared faster in those who had slept badly, suggesting fats were being stored almost instantly.
Brain health
“Lack of sleep is associated with memory and cognitive impairment and an increased risk for road traffic accidents,” she adds.
Some experts believe that sleep helps our brains to flush out harmful proteins that build up during the day.
So interfering with sleep might interfere with our brain’s ability to get rid of these.
Heart disease
Dr Sue says sleepless nights can lead to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke and heart attacks.
One study found difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, and waking up not feeling refreshed increased the risks by 27 per cent, 11 per cent, and 18 per cent respectively.
The report, penned by medics in China, says sleep helps repair and heal the heart and blood vessels, and allows the cardiovascular system to rest, allowing other organs to be restored.
Cancer
Not getting enough shut eye can also increase your chances of cancer, studies have found.
Disruptions in the body’s “biological clock,” which controls sleep and thousands of other functions, may raise the odds of cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate, says Hopkins Medicine.
Exposure to light while working overnight shifts for several years may reduce levels of melatonin, encouraging cancer to grow, it explained.
One 2010 study found that less than six hours of sleep could lead to a 50 percent greater risk of developing bowel cancer.