Wellness: Discover the relationship between sleep and joy.
Want to be happier? Today we explore the relationship between sleep and happiness. More specifically, I want to look at five ways sleep works its magic.
We all want to be happy, but it is often challenging to achieve and can be fleeting. Today I want to focus on the top five science-based ways you can achieve satisfaction as we enter 2021. I suspect that some of them may surprise you. What is not on the list may also surprise you: Money, beyond a state of security in terms of food and shelter*, is not associated with your happiness level.
Five ways sleep works its magic: Sleep and happiness
- Brainpower. Adequate sleep helps us consolidate memories, process emotions, and recharge for the next day’s challenges. Sleep, especially rapid-eye-movement stages) is essential for memory consolidation. Dreaming may offer an incubation period in which our brains process problems and create innovative solutions.
- Genes. University of Surrey researchers have shown the perils of chronic sleep deprivation (that is, under six hours of daily sleep for one week). That amount of short sleep affects the functioning of approximately three percent of genes, including one influencing inflammation, immune system function, our natural body clock (circadian rhythm), and our stress response.
- Appearance. Want to look better? Start with adequate sleep. Scientists have linked inadequate sleep with redder and more swollen eyes, hanging eyelids, darker circles under the eyes, more wrinkles and fine lines, paler skin, and more droopy corners of the mouth.
Please go here to explore more about the relationship between sleep and happiness:
Here is another piece on happiness:
