Go ahead, snooze!

Remember sleep? That was a good thing you used to do. Teachers once encouraged you to do it at school, right in the middle of the day! It was great. But now people are all, “Stop sleeping! You sleep too much!” and it’s like, a total bummer. I miss sleep. It’s such a good thing to do for your body and brain. And we just suck down coffee and give it the cold shoulder. Why? Are we monsters?!

Reasons why are body and mind needs to sleep 

You'll be happier

Sleeping poorly ruins your day. You know that, but researchers have shown it too, especially in one notable study that followed 909 working women. A poor night's rest affected their happiness as much as tight work deadlines, and it had an even bigger impact on mood than significant income differences in the group.

Provides fuel

Much like a vehicle needs fuel to keep driving, your body needs fuel to remain energetic. Imagine driving for days one end without re-fuelling? You’d go on empty. The car would start giving signs that you are low on fuel. Eventually you’d get stuck. The body is no different. The body, if you had to go for a few days without sleep, would start signalling, through fatigue, that you are low on fuel. Eventually you’d pass out.

Keep your figure

Watching your weight can be as simple as getting a good night's sleep. Lack of sleep can make you put on weight by drastically slowing your metabolism down, according to a study by scientists at Uppsala University in Sweden. The researchers suggested getting plenty of sleep might prevent weight gain.

You can concentrate better

We have all woken up after a good night's sleep ready to take on the world. But IKEA's Slumber Survey found one in three Australians rate their sleep as 'poor' to 'terrible'. A bad night's sleep can leave you struggling all day. More than half of us will have problems concentrating after sleeping badly, according to a survey by shopping channel QVC.

You'll be in a great mood

Nearly two thirds of people blame lack of sleep when they feel irritable, according to the QVC survey. 
IKEA spokesman Angela McCann says: "It's unsurprising only 1% of those asked in the Slumber Survey claim to feel fantastic when they wake up. The lack of sleep and the ensuing tiredness is likely impacting on people's judgement, problem-solving and creativity."

People who sleep enough have fewer heart problems

One large study found that sleeping five hours or less a night was associated with a 45% increased risk for heart attacks. Keeping people awake increases their blood pressure - even healthy young men who have one bad night of only 3.6 hours of sleep show significant temporary changes.

You'll look more attractive

Regular shut-eye actually makes you look healthier and more attractive, according to a 2010 study published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers photographed 23 people after a period of sleep deprivation and after a normal night's sleep of eight hours. The photos were shown to 65 people who rated each photo based on health attractiveness and tiredness. The sleep deprived group scored lower in all three categories.

Ability to make better informed decisions

We've all heard of sleeping on a problem, in the hope that come morning the solution will be clear. Well scientists have found that when you do this your brain still looks for a solution, even when you're asleep. Even if you don't wake up with an answer, a good night's sleep will equip your brain to assess the problem afresh.

You'll live longer

Regularly sleeping less than you should is associated with a shorter lifespan, although it is not clear whether little sleep is the cause, or an effect of other illnesses. Studies have found people who routinely sleep for fewer than six hours a night have a higher risk of dying sooner than people of a similar age who sleep for seven or eight hours a night.

You're less likely to get ill

Lack of sleep can suppress your immune system, which makes you more vulnerable to infections. A study in 2009 found that sleeping for fewer than seven hours a night increased the risk of catching a cold. The team from Carnegie Mellon University found the risk was trebled compared with those who slept for eight hours or more a night.

Getting enough sleep helps prevent migraines and other headaches

If you find yourself cringing due to sudden head pain, look at your sleep schedule. Even though doctors aren't sure exactly why this happens, multiple studies show that people who don't sleep enough are more likely to suffer migraines. "Poor sleep quality is uniquely associated with episodic migraine,"

 You'll remember things clearly

During deep sleep the brain goes through our impressions of the day in a process vital to memory formation. A study published in the journal Sleep found people who slept fewer than six hours a night for two weeks scored far worse on memory tests than those who slept eight hours.

You'll be a winner

Getting extra sleep can even improve athletic performance. Five swimmers were monitored as part of a study in 2008, they extended their sleep to 10 hours a day for six to seven weeks. At the end of the study the athletes could swim faster and react more quickly. With Australians sleeping for seven hours each night on average, according to IKEA's Slumber Survey, three more hours in bed could make us quicker and sharper.

But most importantly sleeping is the best time of the day, it relaxes your Body, Mind and Soul. And the dreams are a added bonus