Data showed that one does not have to become a “health saint” to get a huge return of investment. Perhaps, one of the most shocking revelations was that adding 11 minutes to your sleep routine each day, along with a couple of other minor tweaks, could decrease your risk of developing heart disease by 10 percent. On the surface, 11 minutes might seem like an insignificant amount of time, considering it is hardly enough to even glance through your social media feed or catch a quick video clip online, but over weeks, months, and years, this slight increase in rest contributes to meaningful physiological improvements.
Why such a small amount of time could matter? As the experts believe, the thing is that this particular time should be consistent rather than intense. It is important not to totally change your way of life at once but to introduce some new habits which you will be able to follow. At the same time, it should be mentioned that a drastic change is quite hard to implement and maintain for a long time.
This was explained by Nicholas Koemel, the author of the study. He stressed that the cumulative influence of small changes can significantly improve people’s cardiovascular health. Instead of changing only one habit (for example, doing more physical exercises), it is better to introduce several new habits to different spheres of life.
Even a few extra minutes of sleep may be enough for regulating blood pressure and helping to minimize the stress hormones, which are present in our bodies due to the fight or flight response. Lack of sleep leads to higher production of cortisol, causing inflammation and stiffening of the arteries. Thus, by sleeping a bit longer, we allow our body to regain balance in its functioning.
The significance of sleep has been well understood in recent years. Previously, it was viewed as a factor inferior to diet and exercise; however, it is now established as an essential component of well-being. The American Heart Association has declared that sleep time is now part of their “Life’s Essential 8” criteria for measuring cardiovascular health. Adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily to ensure that their hearts remain in optimal shape.
As suggested by the AHA, failure to achieve the recommended number of hours of sleep increases the likelihood of suffering from hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases. Sleep helps regulate numerous biological functions in the human body, such as metabolism and hormone secretion. Therefore, when these processes are not regulated correctly due to insufficient sleep, it creates a “perfect storm” for developing chronic conditions.
