ObservationsThe proverb; "Early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" is attributed to Benjamin Franklin but personally I attribute it to one of my elementary school teachers. To this day I can still recall the sharp shrill of Miss Scott's voice pounding the philosophy into the impressionable young brains of her grade three students. It did indeed make an impression on me; as a child I took it literally. I used to think that if I went to bed early and got up early it would make me smart and bring me wealth; as for my health I just took it for granted.
Now years later I still do not fully understand the philosophy behind the proverb. It could have played a role in influencing me in becoming a morning person or I might have just been born that way. I do know that I feel my best during the hours before noon. Waking up has never been a problem; I need only to have a refreshing shower and I'm energized.
Going to bed early and waking up early does not give me more sleep; it only gives me an early start on my day; it certainly never had any affect on my wealth or lack of it. It is the amount of sleep that we get that effects our health and perhaps makes us wiser in that it improves our brain function.
As individuals our sleep needs vary; most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep daily. Some people however need more than nine while others need less than seven. The belief that older people need less sleep is untrue; they still require seven to nine hours of sleep every night. However older people do have a harder time getting a good night's sleep.
Beside the fact that it makes us feel refreshed a good night's sleep is essential to our health. Your heart will be healthier if you get a proper amount of sleep each night. Lack of sleep is associated with the worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol which are risk factors for heart disease.
Sleep also reduces stress; when you lack sleep your body goes into a state of stress causing an increase in blood pressure and a production of stress hormones. This leads to a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.
When your body increases the production of the stress hormones it also raises the level of inflammation in your body increasing the risk of developing diabetes and cancers.
Research has shown that people who have less than seven hours of sleep per night are more likely to be overweight. The lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones and has a affect on the appetite. Ghrelin and leptin are hormones that are important for the regulation of the appetite and is disrupted by the lack of sleep.
Just by getting the right amount of sleep each night can reduce your risk of depression. Sleep impacts the chemical serotonin in our bodies. A person with a deficiency in serotonin is more likely to suffer from depression.
Our bodies repair themselves when we are asleep. Damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures is repaired by protein molecules that form building blocks for cells while we sleep.
Our sleep habits are the key to getting a good night's sleep. We need to train ourselves to fall asleep quickly every night. Exercise, caffeine, stress and other factors can influence the quantity and quality of our sleep. When you wake up feeling refreshed, use that energy to get out into the daylight and do active things. You will sleep better the next night and increase your daily energy level.
