3. Help you maintain a healthy weight

If you’re tired you’re more likely to crave high carb food and have lower will-power and are more likely to snack and feel reluctant to exercise. The longer you are awake the more energy you need. It’s also thought that being sleep-deprived could increase your appetite, because it changes the level of hormones that signal hunger and fullness in your body.

4. Keep your heart healthy

A lack of sleep can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. When you sleep your heart rate and blood pressure naturally drop to allow your heart time to rest and recover. If your blood pressure remains up at night you are more likely to have high blood pressure during the day. A lack of sleep can also lead to inflammation, causing fatty deposits to build up in your arteries, which can lead to coronary heart disease. Poor sleep can also disrupt your body’s ability to regulate your blood sugar which can lead to diabetes.

5. Keep your immune system strong

Sleep gives your body the time it needs to rest and repair while you’re sick. It supports the proteins and cells of your immune system to detect and destroy any foreign invaders your body might come into contact with, like the common cold. It also helps these cells to remember these invaders, so if you come across the same bugs and germs again, you’re prepared to fight them off. So it’s essential to allow yourself time to rest and recover when you’re not feeling well

6. Looks after your emotional and mental well-being

Improving your sleep can also help to improve your mental health and well-being

7. Reduce your stress levels

A good night’s sleep can have an ‘anti-stress’ effect and relax the systems in your body that are responsible for this stress response.

8. Maintain good relationships

It’s no secret that a bad night’s sleep can leave you feeling grumpy, while getting enough good sleep can help to put you in a positive headspace. And when you’re feeling good, it’s likely to be felt by the people around you.