For some reason, Mr. Sandman has been avoiding me the past few nights. My strength exercising has ramped up a bit over the past few days and I have felt a good burn which is followed a wonderful tired feeling. You know, the kind where you will zonk out once you head hits the pillow and you’ll wake up the next morning fully rested and energized. After putting my muscles through their paces, I usually have a light dinner, take a couple or so hours to wind down, and then hit the hay. Unfortunately, just as I’m about to get to that sleepy point, my body suddenly gets a second wind and I’m awake for a few hours more.
Sleep is very important to a healthy body, at least 8 hours minimum. Yeah, I know a person can still function with less. Heck, for years I existed on minimal hours of true sleep—but there’s a big difference between existing and living, and without the 8 hours of pure rest, ya just ain’t living!
Sleep deprivation can cause all sorts of problems. Everything from a little grogginess and problems with attention right up to car accidents and death. I’m not sure about the rest of the world, but Americans try to pack so much into their day that a good night’s sleep has fallen to the wayside. This is a shame because more sleep helps you become more productive. Less sleep actually makes you less productive.
I know, this is the kind of stuff that you hear from doctors all the time. But did you know that sleep is also a great way to help you build muscle and lose weight? It’s true. When you exercise and push your muscles, you cause microscopic tears in all that connective tissue. When you sleep, your body goes into “repair mode” and creates new, thicker, stronger fibers to close those tears. In order for the body to do this effectively, it needs complete rest for 8 or more hours.
If you don’t get enough rest, then your body won’t be able to strengthen and repair itself. Amazingly enough, if you push your muscles hard and don’t sleep as much as you should, your body will get weaker over time. Remember, when you exercise, you cause tears in the muscles. No sleep means the tears won’t be fixed. Too many tears and your muscles won’t be able to do the work that healthy muscles can.
So, it’s time for me to try and catch a few zzzzz’s. I think I’ll try to tempt Mr. Sandman with some warm milk. He usually likes that.
