There’s no doubt that sleep is important.

Without enough sleep, we feel tired and out of sorts. But what you may not know is that there are many other benefits.

Getting enough rest can change your life in ways you never imagined!

In this blog post, we’ll discuss eight surprising benefits of sleep. If you're looking for a good reason to make sure you're getting enough z's, read on.

Benefit #1: Improved Memory

Did you know that getting enough sleep can improve your memory?

It's true!

When you don't get enough sleep, it becomes difficult to focus and concentrate because fatigue reduces your ability to process information effectively. But when you’re well-rested, your cognitive abilities improve, including memory recall.

So if you're looking to boost your productivity at work or school, make sure you're getting enough sleep!

Benefit #2: Reduced Stress Levels

Stress can be harmful to your health.

It can cause headaches, anxiety, chest pain and even heart problems. When you don't get enough sleep, your cortisol (a stress hormone) levels increase.

This can lead to all sorts of health problems over time.

Benefit #3: Lower Risk of Disease

A lack of sleep can result in a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.

Studies have shown that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to catch a cold or the flu.

Benefit #4: Improved Mood

Have you heard the phrase, “woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” being used to describe someone in a bad mood?

There’s a reason for that: Sleep is connected to your mental and emotional health. Not getting enough sleep leads to fatigue, causing you to feel irritable and anxious.

To improve your mood, make sleep a priority.

Benefit #5: Healthier Looking Skin

Our skin can get dry or dull when we don't get enough sleep.

But getting enough shut-eye keeps your skin healthy and hydrated. This is because during sleep, your body produces growth hormones that help repair skin cells.

Benefit #6: Weight Loss

When you’re sleep-deprived, your body produces more of the hormone ghrelin.

Ghrelin is known as the "hunger hormone" because it increases your appetite. You produce less ghrelin when you’re getting enough sleep, which means you’re less likely to overeat.

Benefit #7: Increased Life Expectancy

Studies show that people who don't get enough sleep are more likely to die prematurely than those who do.

Sleep is essential for your body to repair and rejuvenate itself. Without it, your body is unable to properly repair itself, leading to health problems over time.

As you see, there are many benefits of sleep. If you're looking to improve your health, mood or productivity, make sure you're getting at least seven hours of sleep each night!

To learn more about healthy sleep habits, visit our Health Library.

Having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Learn more about the sleep services at Tanner at TannerSleep.org.