I don’t know about the rest of you readers, but I always feel like I could use a little more sleep in the mornings. Even when I know that I’ve gotten enough, I usually just want a few more minutes lying down, which as it turns out might not be such a bad thing.
Today’s infographic comes to us from MercuryNews.com and shows the potential health benefits of getting a good amount of sleep, as well as the potential health hazards of an unusual amount of sleep. Americans on average get 6.9 hours of sleep per night, and when we get less than that it can bring on a number of health conditions including raised blood pressure and lowered reaction times among others.
Lack of sleep can sometimes be attributed to what you eat before bed; some things are much better than others. For instance, alcohol and spicy foods are probably not the best bedtime foods, whereas snacks like yogurt or popcorn are much better alternatives. If you’re able to find a way to get an adequate amount of sleep, though, it can really benefit you. In addition to reducing inflammation that causes heart disease and cancer, it can reduce stress and heighten memory.
For more information on the benefits of a good night’s sleep check out the infographic below. [Via]