Mental acuity, concentration, reasoning and memory — these are several states of mind that are critical to your daily productivity and overall health and wellness. When you feel tired, your brain feels the same.
A lack of rest has a direct impact on your ability to cope, display appropriate emotions and keep your perspective in check. Getting enough sleep is critical to controlling your moods and reactions. It’s also your link to boosting brain power.
Shut-eye shuts out anxiety
When the brain isn’t given adequate time to rest, a host of unwanted realities occur. It’s difficult to remember basic tasks you need to accomplish or even recall simple things you’ve already done.
It becomes confusing or disorienting when you try to remember a sequence of events, such as who said what and when. You may have trouble formulating thoughts or making decisions. And a lack of sleep is also a playground for anxiety to creep in.
Stress and sleeplessness
People who have trouble falling asleep may find it’s because they can’t “shut off” their minds long enough to relax. In fact, nearly 50 percent of sleep problems are due to stress. This reality makes it even more obvious that reducing stress though a healthy diet, exercise and pleasant activities is imperative to helping your brain take a break.
Sleep is your vital tool to allowing the brain to rest, organize and contextualize. Physicians recommend getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night to avoiding falling into sleep debt. This necessary downtime gives both your mind and body time to relax, heal, cope and thrive.
Because most medical experts believe there’s a strong connection between mind and body, sleep is a vital component to keeping your brain and your entire biological machine up and running in as smooth a manner as possible.
Learn more about the ways sleep effects your brain and mind by attending the Advances in Medicine lecture series, presented by Texas Health Resources in partnership with Laura W. Bush Institute for Health. Upcoming lectures are scheduled for October 15 at Texas Health Plano, October 16 at Texas Health Dallas, and October 24 in Allen.
Lectures are complimentary with limited space. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling 877-847-9355.
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Note: Doctors are not employees/agents of the hospital.
Getting enough sleep is critical to controlling your moods and reactions.
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