{"id":"7919991","name":"sleep benefits","tree":["1698687","1698686","7919991"],"pillar":{"id":"1672637","name":"sleep"},"body":{"type":"body","children":[{"type":"heading","level":1,"slug":"14-key-benefits","children":[{"type":"text","value":"14 key benefits"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"there is not one biological function in your body that doesn’t benefit from sleep"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"sleep helps to:"}]},{"type":"list","level":1,"ordered":true,"block":true,"children":[{"type":"list_item","index":1,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"build up your immune, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":2,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"balance your brainwaves, improving your emotional and neurological health"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":3,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"balance your nervous system"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"during sleep, synaptic homeostasis removes waste products from your brain"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":4,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"repair your body"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"during sleep your cells produce more protein"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"protein molecules are essential for the functioning of every cell in the body"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":5,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"improve your attention and concentration"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"sleep stimulates the executive functioning of your brain leading to improvements in  cognitive performance, helping you to think clearly, remember information, and make decisions"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":6,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"improve your memory"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"your brain processes your day, linking events, emotions and sensory input; and your memories are consolidated"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":7,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"keep your heart healthy"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"lack of sleep has been linked to high blood pressure and raised cholesterol"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":8,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"reduce stress"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"sleep and stress have a two way relationship"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"whilst stress can disrupt sleep patterns, sleep allows the body to balance cortisol levels which helps reduce the effects of stress"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":9,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"reduce inflammation"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"a regular sleep pattern reinforces a healthy circadian rhythm"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"too little or too much sleep triggers inflammation"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":10,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"reduce the risk of cancer"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"the sleep hormone melatonin can suppress the growth of tumours"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":11,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"improve your mood and emotional well‑being"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"even small periods of lack of sleep can chip away at your happiness"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":12,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"maintain a healthy weight"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"sleep stimulates a healthy balance of the “hunger hormones” ghrelin and leptin"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"lack of sleep causes a spike in ghrelin and a fall in leptin stimulating hunger"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":13,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"maintain good relationships"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"there is a direct relationship between sleep, compassion and empathy"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"even a small lack of sleep has a negative impact on your feelings of compassion and empathy towards others"}]}]},{"type":"list_item","index":14,"children":[{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"taking a nap is physiologically and psychologically beneficial"}]},{"type":"paragraph","quoted":false,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"napping can help refresh the mind, improve overall alertness, boost mood, increase productivity, reduce stress, reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and improve memory performance"}]}]}]}]}}