Do you ever just wake up from a good night of sleep and feel simply amazing? Sleep is definitely one of those elements of life that feel good and inherently are good for you. But is there any connection between a good night’s sleep and waking up to feel awesome? In short, yes!
This post will outline why sleep feels good, including what happens to your body while you’re asleep. We’ll also explain how to set yourself up for an excellent night’s sleep so that you can feel all the benefits of sleeping well.
So, Why Does Sleep Feel So Good?
Sleep feels good because we are restoring the energy we lost during the day. According to The Sleep Foundation, it’s been proven to be one of the ways our body restores energy. It does this by restoring two particular chemicals in our bodies while we sleep: glycogen and adenosine.
Glycogen helps store energy in the brain, and these decrease while we are awake. They are restored while we sleep. A decrease in glycogen levels can occur if we don’t sleep well, which is why we often feel lethargic and drained after a bad night’s sleep. Adenosine is the opposite. It accumulates during the waking hours and prompts us to feel sleepy after a long day.
These two chemicals work in tandem: as the glycogen levels reduce in our brain, adenosine builds up. So, when we wake up and are full of Glycogen, we are full of energy. It makes us feel good from the moment we open our eyes.
The Link Between Good Sleep and Feeling Good
There has been plenty of research into why getting enough sleep helps you feel good. Scientists at Stanford University have found that a brain circuit is connected to both sleepiness and internal reward systems. This can lead us to conclude that the mind and body definitely feel more positive about themselves and the day ahead when it gets significant rest.
This also might explain why occasional insomnia affects us so much: leading us to feel negative, panicked, and stressed about the night ahead.
The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
There are many benefits to a good night’s sleep, other than feeling good. However, these benefits will affect our overall health and well-being, which will positively impact our mood. It’s all linked.
- Sleep is immunity boosting. It works by enhancing the ability of T cells to adhere to and destroy cells infected by viruses and other pathogens.
- It can be slimming. Sleeping well enhances your leptin levels, which is the hormone that helps you recognize you’re full.
- Your mental well-being will increase. A chronic lack of sleep can lead to depression and anxiety in adults.
- It helps prevent diabetes. People who sleep less than five hours per night have an increased risk of developing diabetes because of a change in how the body produces glucose.
- Sleep can increase fertility as exhaustion reduces the number of reproductive hormones in the body.
There are many reasons why a good night’s sleep feels inherently good for you!
Sleep is linked to many chemical processes in the body, including its growth and repair functions. To function optimally, prioritize sleep. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
