“Poor sleep is the mother of all health problems,” says Suzanne van Pelt van Smart health . Those who don’t get enough sleep have a higher risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and anxiety.
How many hours should you sleep?
The advice for adults is to nap between seven and nine hours a night. In addition to getting enough sleep, sleep quality is also important. Both are necessary for good health. In the Netherlands we have a lot of bad sleepers: According to the RIVM, one in five Dutch people aged 12 and over suffers from sleep disorders. Women have more sleep problems than men: 26% vs 16%.
Relationship between sleep and obesity
Sleep is both a cause and a consequence of weight gain. Those who sleep less than six hours are 45 percent more likely to be obese than those who sleep seven to nine hours a night. But it also works the other way around: Obesity also causes sleep problems. People with obesity have an increased risk of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). As many as 50% of adults with SDB show signs of insomnia.
Other Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
Adults with diabetes who touch seven to eight hours a day have the lowest risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The quality of sleep also affects the immune system. Good sleep is associated with a reduced risk of infection.
In addition to physical ailments, sleep also leaves its mark on mental health. When someone gets a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, the chance for depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating is lower than when someone has poor quality sleep.
Finally something about napping, which is normal feed for discussion is: to do or not to do? There is good news for those who can’t get enough of their nap. According to this study, afternoon naps of less than thirty minutes make you more alert during the day. And this in turn leads to better performance in the workplace.
