Sleep Just As Important as Diet and Exercise

According to an article by Time Magazine, “Your doctor could soon be prescribing crucial shuteye as treatment for everything from obesity to ADHD to mental health as experts say carving out time for sleep is just as important as diet and exercise.”

As stated by the article, researchers have known for some time that sleep is critical for weight maintenance and hormone balance, and too little sleep is linked to many diseases and heart problem as well as mental health. However, it wasn’t until recent that research on sleep became a paramount component of the medical industry in terms of treatment of various conditions.

“Dr. Allan Rechtschaffen, a pioneer of sleep research at the University of Chicago, once said, “If sleep does not serve an absolutely vital function, then it is the biggest mistake the evolutionary process ever made.””
The article goes on to explain how Americans are chronically sleep deprived, and “catching up” can take a very long time, most Americans continue to put off sleep unaware of the negative consequences. The article also brings up the issue of the ever growing digital world and how it interferes with our sleep patterns.
“Using technology before bed stimulates us and interferes with our sleep, yet 95% of Americans use some type of electronics like a computer, TV, or cell phone at least a few nights a week within the hour before we go to bed, according to a 2011 National Sleep Foundation survey. “Many doctors, lawyers, and executives stay up late and get up early and burn the candle at both ends,” says Dr. Richard Lang, chair of Preventative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. “Making sure they pay attention to sleep in the same way they pay attention to diet and exercise is crucial.””
The bottom line: sleep is vital to health, not just for weight loss and alertness, but it can also be instrumental in fighting disease and heart problems.
Read the entire Time article here. ​