And while a few nights here and there of not sleeping for a solid 7 hours a night minimum, it’s really not the best thing for your health to disregard how important sleep actually is. There’s a reason that our parents constantly tell us to go to sleep even when we don't want to, and that’s because there’s actually a lot going on in our bodies when we start snoring.

Sleep is the body’s only chance to recuperate and repair any and all damages that may have happened throughout the day, while also making sure that all our body’s functions are properly maintained. While sleep does play a massive role in the condition of our body, there are also a lot of benefits associated with getting enough hours of sleep every night.

Sleeping enough is associated with better concentration, problem-solving skills, and cognitive performance throughout the day. That’s especially helpful for younger children who are still developing and growing, with an adequate amount of sleep possibly improving academic performance. In contrast, a lack of sleep showed impaired brain function and poor decision-making skills, while also being linked to more emotional fluctuations and an increased risk of mental illnesses like depression.

And as sleeping allows muscles to grow and regenerate, getting enough of it can also improve athletic performance by enhancing motor skills, reaction time, power, and endurance. Foregoing this period every night would mean not allowing your body to repair itself and recover from the physical strain exerted, which increases the chances of an injury.

Sleep also benefits different bodily functions like immunity and heart health among others, while also fending off different chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. 

And if that wasn’t enough to convince you about how important sleep is, then you’ll be happy to know that sleep also affects your physical appearance as sleep heavily contributes to weight management and loss. It was shown that not getting enough sleep can actually increase your chances of obesity, while also compromising your hormonal profile and raising your appetite levels significantly.

Lack of sleep can also make your skin dull and dehydrated, while also affecting your skin’s collagen production, which allows it to maintain a youthful appearance.

Basically, you should aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night to make sure that your body is performing at its best, but that’s not always the case. Telling someone to sleep more might be easier said than done as many people struggle with sleeping well at night for different reasons, but here are some tips and tricks you can try out!

Block Everything Out

Our bodies are biologically wired to sleep when it’s dark and quiet, but these conditions might be harder to achieve in today’s society where cities hardly ever sleep. If you find yourself struggling to sleep because of where you live, then a good tip to try out is to block everything out with a sleep mask and some earplugs.

The sleep hormone melatonin is naturally released by our bodies when it registers a dark environment, but exposure to any form of bright light risks disrupting this process and slows the body’s much-needed wind down to sleep. Rather than contemplating moving to a darker neighborhood, you should try buying a sleep mask first. 

Getting a sleeping mask is both a cheap and comfortable option to not be bothered by the light. When looking for one to buy, make sure that you get one with a soft fabric so that it doesn’t rub against and chafe your skin. Silk is always a good choice to look out for not only for its luxurious texture but also for the antibacterial properties that lessen the need to clean it.

Another thing that you need to ensure the best conditions to get a good night's sleep is silence, but it might be hard if you’re living in a busier place where there’s always a car honking or a person screaming. The human circadian rhythm is a very delicate thing and any sudden and loud noises can abruptly disturb what could have been a nice sleep.

A great way to avoid these loud noises is by investing in some high-quality earplugs. Make sure that they’re comfortable enough to wear all night, but that they’re also effective in keeping away any harsh noises from your environment.

Get Comfortable

When you’re about to go to bed, it’s very important that you make sure you’re as comfortable as possible, and that includes investing in good sleepwear. Whether you like sleeping in pajama sets or a nightgown, you really shouldn’t underestimate the importance of what you wear when you sleep.

The body actually lowers to a cooler temperature when it goes to sleep to calm down all of the body’s functions and operations, which means that you need to get a breathable enough fabric that allows your body to do what it needs to do. 

Apart from that, your sleepwear is pretty important mainly because of how long it’ll be touching your skin. Rather than wearing something thick, stiff and slightly abrasive, opt for clothes that are soft and breathable to ensure maximum comfort all night.

Cool Down Your Environment 

Everyone knows that air conditioners are great for getting good quality sleep because the cooler air helps the body lower its core temperature, but an air conditioner alone might not be the best option. While your air conditioner may make your room colder and more comfortable to sleep in, it could also be drying out your sinuses, nose and throat, leading to a difficult breathing process and restlessness during sleep.

A great way to counteract these negative effects is to get a humidifier. The reason that air conditioners negatively affect your breathing at night is because of the lack of moisture in the air. Rather than turning your air conditioner off completely, you can simply get a humidifier and leave it on overnight. The cool steam produced will help put moisture back into the air and help calm down any inflammation in your respiratory system.