Sleepy

I’m going to come out and say it. I do NOT get enough sleep at night. It’s weird too, because in the morning all I can think about it how awesome sleeping is, and how I can’t wait to sleep when I get home. Even at work, I constantly suggest that we should incorporate “nap time” into our days (which I truly think is a great idea). It isn’t until I get home, and start relaxing that I decide I am not tired anymore.

I make dinner, and Jeff turns on Star Trek, and it is on like Donkey Kong. We will be up for HOURS watching TV or playing games. We usually hit the sack around 11:00p or midnight sometimes. Then I wake up in the morning with that same thought. Tonight, I am going to bed early…. Ya… ok.

(Photo from the BEST cast of Star Trek: TNG from here)

But I digress. I read an article today from Harvard Health which talks about the impact sleep has on you.

“The Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests six reasons to get enough sleep:

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.”