Everyone knows that they function better when they’ve gotten a good night’s sleep the day before; moreover, regular high quality sleep can have an incredible positive effect on your overall health. On the other hand, individuals who experience sleep disorders are more likely to suffer from various health issues because of their sleep problems. Here are fifteen reasons to make proper sleep a priority in your life:

1. Reduced Stress - When you are sleep deprived, your body goes into a state of high alert - meaning that your blood pressure rises and production of stress hormones like cortisol increases. Not only does high blood pressure put you at risk for a host of health problems, more stress hormones actually make it more difficult for you to fall asleep when the time comes. Furthermore, regular sleep makes it easier to cope with life’s stressful situations.
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A recent study performed at the University of Pittsburgh found that the children of parents with a history of chronic insomnia are not only more prone to insomnia and other sleep disorders themselves, but they are more likely to experience daytime fatigue, engage in substance abuse, and to suffer from depression and anxiety.
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It has been said that sleep disorders and sleep problems cost Americans over $100 billion per year, indirectly, due to lowered productivity and accidents caused by lack of alertness and an inability to concentrate. However, it gets worse - in addition to the financial cost of sleep issues, there is a high human toll as well. Professor Max Hirshkowitz of the Veteran’s Administration Center in Houston, Texas says that:
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Diabetes is a major and growing problem in this country, and like many other health problems, it is almost entirely preventable. One of the things that can help combat diabetes is regular, high quality sleep that allows your body to rest and restore itself, leading to optimal health. On the other hand, consistent sleep problems and sleep deprivation have the opposite effect.
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While mood swings have many different causes, sleeping problems and sleeping disorders are known to be one of the major factors in rapid mood changes. In fact, not only does lack of sleep and constant sleep deprivation affect your mood, getting high quality sleep on a regular basis can have a significant positive effect on your overall mood and sense of well-being.
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Sleep problems have played a major role in some of the world’s most well-known accidents; accidents that may have been prevented had the key operators gotten regular sleep. It is a well-known fact that many accidents involve poor judgment and slowed reactions because the people at fault were exhausted and made simple mistakes, the sort of errors that are the hallmark of sleep deprivation. A few examples:
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