SLEEP 7 -9 HOURS A NIGHT

 In college, my Biochemistry teacher told me that “sleep is not a priority.” That statement
was his advice on how to improve my test scores. I left his office majorly disappointed
and wondered why an intelligent person would promote sleep deprivation for the sake of
getting an A?

Sleep should be a non-negotiable. An estimated 70 million North Americans are
sleep deprived. This fact has a profound impact on health. Inadequate sleep causes
hormonal imbalances, weight gain, depression, irritability, premature aging, weekend
immunity, and impaired cognition. Although these signs and symptoms of lack of sleep
seem bleak, the body can bounce back quickly within even a few nights of quality sleep.

Adults sleep requirements range from 7 - 9 hours per night. Children and teens
require 10 - 12 hours/night. I could go through a biochemical lesson on all the healing
hormones that are released during the deepest stages of sleep, but that might actually
put you to sleep. LOL The important hormones to note are HGH (Human Growth
Hormone), Melatonin, and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Each of these hormones
plays a significant roll in longevity, health, and even weight loss.

I wonder if that professor has changed his mind on making it a priority to get enough
sleep?