Why You Should Aim for 6 Hours or More of Sleep at Night

How many hours of sleep do you get in a typical night? Sleep is something that most of us take for granted. It's not until you struggle to get a good night's rest when you realize its importance. As your body becomes sleep deprived, you'll notice certain physical and mental changes. Some of these changes are subtle, though others are more prominent. But if you're hoping to stay healthy and fend off chronic disease, you need to aim for a minimum of six hours of high-quality sleep each night.

Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Research has shown that people who get at least six hours of sleep at night are less likely to develop heart disease than their counterparts who get less than six hours of sleep.

In a study conducted by researchers from the National Center for Cardiovascular Research in Spain, it was revealed that six hours was the "sweet spot" for sleeping habits. For the study, researchers analyzed the arterial health of several thousand men and women, with an average age of 46. Researchers were shocked to discover that participants who slept for less than six hours were about 27% more likely to develop atherosclerosis than their well-rested counterparts. This is important because atherosclerosis is a key risk factor of heart disease, as it restricts arterial blood flow and therefore increases the risk of heart disease.

"This is the first study to show that objectively measured sleep is independently associated with atherosclerosis throughout the body, not just in the heart," said the study's lead researcher and author in a press release.

Improved Mental Clarity

Brain fog isn't just a myth; it's a real condition that happen if you don't get enough sleep. Specifically, sleeping for less than six hours at night causes your brain to slow down. As a result, it will take longer to process thoughts and make decisions. Depending on your occupation, this may leave you susceptible to injury. Workers in highly laborious jobs like construction, for example, have a high risk of injury when they fail to get sufficient, high-quality sleep. You can avoid the dreaded brain fog, however, by aiming for a minimum of six hours of sleep at night.

Lower Risk of Diabetes

You might be surprised to learn that sleeping for at least six hours at night can even lower your risk of diabetes. Sleep offers an opportunity for your body to balance its blood sugar levels. If you don't get enough sleep, it won't be able to perform this function, resulting in high blood sugar levels that paves the way for diabetes.