Poor Sleep Habits Linked to Disease

People who sleep too much or too little put themselves at higher risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Researchers conducted a large scale study and found that when you sleep fewer than five hours a night on a regular basis you raise your risk of getting diabetes by 50%. Diabetes raises your risk of heart disease, so poor sleep habits indirectly affect your risk there, too.

But don't think overcompensating will help. People who consistently sleep more than nine hours a night run the same risks.

Now, I realize this presents a long-term concern, and sometimes long-term concerns are easy to ignore when you're faced with short-term problems. It's easy to sacrifice sleep if you have a busy schedule or if you are dealing with a lot of stress. However, this study indicates a short-term impact, too.

Too little or too much sleep can impede how your body deals with blood sugar. That means it can throw off your appetite and your energy levels for the whole day.

You best bet is to get seven to eight hours a night, consistently. This will lower your risk of diseases long-term and leave your feeling better—and more productive—in the short term.

Happy Holidays!
Danny Wallace