{"id":5783,"date":"2022-08-12T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-12T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=5783"},"modified":"2022-08-12T16:34:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-12T16:34:35","slug":"whats-the-real-reason-we-spend-one-third-of-our-lives-asleep-heres-why-we-need-it-%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/whats-the-real-reason-we-spend-one-third-of-our-lives-asleep-heres-why-we-need-it-%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Real Reason We Spend One-Third of Our Lives Asleep? Here\u2019s Why We Need It \ufffc\ufffc\ufffc\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Eight hours. That\u2019s how long experts recommend most adults sleep every night. But why is that? Why should we spend one-third of the day\u2014what amounts to one-third of our lives\u2014catching Zzz\u2019s?<\/p>\n

It turns out that sleep does more than provide rest. It activates systems in the body that repair damaged DNA. The molecule that contains your unique genetic code (DNA<\/a>), provides the blueprint for how the cells develop and function. The environment, chemicals, diseases, aging, and other factors can damage DNA, so it doesn\u2019t replicate as it should. Damaged DNA is implicated in the development of cancer and other diseases<\/a>. That\u2019s why repairing damaged DNA early on is so critical.<\/p>\n

Sleep repairs DNA\u2014but getting enough sleep is crucial <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Researchers don\u2019t know exactly how sleep relieves DNA damage, but they found it does. In a recent study in Molecular Cell<\/em><\/a>, scientists found that DNA damage increased in zebrafish when they were awake and decreased when they slept. This is especially important when it comes to the DNA in neurons, which are part of your brain, where a lack of sleep can cause temporary or even permanent damage.<\/p>\n

The report found that sleep is vital, and getting sleep, but not enough of it, won\u2019t completely repair the DNA. Researchers in the study found that if the zebrafish didn\u2019t get six hours of sleep per night, they couldn\u2019t completely repair the damage to their DNA. Scientists believe the sleep-DNA repair connection they saw in zebrafish is true for humans too. <\/p>\n

Additional benefits of sleep<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sleeping an average of six to eight hours per night can help your workout performance and better control your eating habits<\/a>. A good night\u2019s rest can reduce inflammation, increase energy, and even improve your skin\u2019s health.<\/a> <\/p>\n

The benefits aren\u2019t just physical. Resting improves productivity and can help you be more mindful and make better decisions<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Hopelessly sleep deprived? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Knowing the benefits of sleep doesn\u2019t mean people actually get enough of it. According to the Centers for Disease Control <\/a> (CDC), 35 percent of adults in the U.S. don\u2019t get enough sleep. About half of adults say they feel sleepy three to seven times a week.<\/a> <\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it\u2019s hard to recover from missed sleep. Surprisingly, napping during the day or sleeping in on weekends may not be enough to reverse the missed sleep. According to The Sleep Foundation,<\/a> it can take four days to recover from one hour of lost sleep and nine days to overcome a sleep deficit.  <\/p>\n

Mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, can make it difficult for you to fall asleep or stay asleep. Other factors can disrupt sleep, too, such as using alcohol or caffeine, being physically inactive, feeling stressed, staying up too late, or having too much screen time. Changes in routine, which are common when traveling, during holidays<\/a>, or when seasons<\/a> change, can wreak  havoc with your sleep patterns as well.<\/p>\n

Recognizing when you haven\u2019t had enough sleep<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Surprisingly, you may not know if you\u2019re sleep-deprived. Some signs, such as being sleepy during the day, are obvious.  But others are subtle\u2014or they may be ones you\u2019ve become accustomed to and don\u2019t identify as being related to a lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can affect your mood, energy, and productivity. Other signs<\/a> include: <\/p>\n