SYDNEY ANDERSON

Many people underestimate the importance of sleep for the human body. Sleep is just as crucial, as food and air are necessities for survival. Throughout the day, sleep programs the brain to process emotions and memories. An insufficient amount of sleep will impact individuals, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Does every person require the same amount of sleep?

Not all individuals have to get the same amount of sleep, some might require more, while others need less. However, the suggested hours depend on: current age, physical activity, and health. Typically, adults should partake in seven to eight hours of sleep, while teenagers need about nine hours. By sustaining the abundant number of hours, they will be well-rested and have a productive morning.

Delaware State Head Lacrosse Coach, Pamella Jenkins states, “Adequate sleep is necessary towards peak sports performance for your mind and body.” When getting a lack of sleep, it weakens the body, mind, and overall performance. Coach Pamella Jenkins can notice this in her players, if they come to practice with low-energy, rubbing their eyes, and minimum effort. She knows they did not receive the correct hours of sleep, thus affecting their performance level on the field.

In society, a lack of sleep is most common with college students. As they concentrate on their assignments, students tend to lose track of time and receive less sleep. Delaware State Strength and Conditioning Coach, Christopher Thompson asserts, “Sleep is one of the top performance enhancers for student athletes besides proper nutrition and hydration. Sleep is important because it allows our bodies to recover from all the hard work studying, stressors in life, practice, and lifts.” Sleep is especially important for student-athletes because not only do they need it to focus in school, but also to excel on the field.

Once individuals are off schedule, receiving the proper amount of sleep can be challenging. They find themselves creating a “sleep deficit”, when they try to catch up on missing hours. Sleep deficit occurs due to lack of sleep, the difference between the hours obtained vs. how many are needed. If someone loses a few hours of sleep, that individual can retain it. However, if it is over a couple of hours, the amount of sleep cannot be preserved.

How can a sleeping schedule be adjusted?

In order to receive more sleep, there are many steps people can follow to fix this issue. First, going to bed at an earlier time. People need to alert their bodies and change their schedules. Secondly, steering away from coffee or alcohol close to bedtime. By enduring these drinks, the body will have plenty of energy. Sleep deprivation becomes even worse, as it is difficult for the body to fall asleep. Lastly, engaging in a bed time routine. Whether it includes meditation or reading before bed, a night time routine helps ease the mind of stress and concerns.

When individuals lose sleep, it does not go unnoticed. Whether it is by physical appearance (baggy eyes, messy hair, and pale skin) or mental state (sleeping in class, fatigue, or sadness), many people recognize the difference. These individuals will experience a change in mood, lack of enthusiasm, and little to no focus.  

Why is an adequate amount of sleep important to the human body?

When the body is not receiving the required hours, many things fall out of alignment. Delaware State Biology Professor, Mr. Driskill proclaims, “The biological importance of sleep is frequently unappreciated. Not only do we feel bad for a while when we have inadequate good-quality sleep, but it also can have serious consequences in the longer term.” Insufficient sleep decays the body and mind. A lack of sleep is unhealthy for the body, as it causes major health problems. 

From relationships to obesity, sleep contributes to everything. When asleep, the human body recovers and heals to reimpose the chemical balance. Moreover, the brain gains new knowledge to improve memory retention.

Sleep deprivation contributes to all systems in the body, especially the central nervous system and immune system. The central nervous system helps the body develop knowledge, but chronic insomnia can derange the process, which is why proper sleep is vital. Delaware State Trainer, Maddie Stoll states, “Sleep helps with overall recovery in the body and allows the mind and body to reset. Sleeping helps boost the immune system in addition to increasing focus. It is important to not only consider nutrition, hydration, and flexibility when recovering, but sleep is just as important which is often overlooked.” 

Lack of sleep prevents the immune system from becoming stronger, as the human body will struggle to fight off invaders. Without the suitable amount, the brain and body systems will not function properly.

Sleep is an imperative key to the human body that keeps the brain functioning. When individuals decide to stay up instead of sleeping, they are only harming themselves. Throughout the day, individuals will feel better and become more active, after fulfilling their required hours of rest.  It is crucial to listen to your body and get a sufficient amount of sleep.