Sleep is a remedy that can help us to live longer, healthier lives. It can reduce stress and make us smarter. We all know that certain sleep-deprived person who didn’t get as many “z’s” as they should have. They look tired and haggard. Sleeping the right amount will give you the healthy, happy, good-looking glow that everybody covets. There are endless benefits to sleep that will help us throughout our entire lives.
Despite the many advantages to sleep, teenagers are getting far less than they should. According to a recent article in Reader’s Digest, 75 percent of teens get less than the nine hours of recommended sleep. And 45 percent of teenagers sleep less than the minimum amount of good sleep — eight hours. Because of this, adolescents are falling asleep in school, scoring lower on homework and tests, and resorting to caffeine to keep them awake.
Why aren’t people getting enough sleep anymore? Is it the temptation of video games or the lure of listening to music? Is it the television programs or the demand of homework and jobs? There is no set answer, but the lack of sleep is causing people to become more tired and stressed than is really necessary.
Sleep can also be one of the most entertaining things out there. People do everything from sleep-walking to snoring. There are infinite possibilities. I have witnessed family members count spiders, fight off intruders and even chase wild animals out of the bedroom while dreaming. Why not enjoy the infinite combinations of experiences for yourself without ever having to wake up? It certainly costs a lot less. Just settle down with a pillow and blanket and let your imagination run wild.
Studies have shown that if you get an adequate amount of sleep, you will live a longer life. Sleep also gives our body the power that it needs to fight off illnesses and injuries. In fact, sleep could be considered one giant multi-purpose pill. This natural remedy has helped to reduce stress hormones and increase concentration and problem-solving skills. Who knew that you could get smarter from sleeping?
Sleep is our own special time when we can escape from the world and go anywhere we want to. It’s our own personal vacation without ever leaving our own beds. We can all live our wildest dreams and our worst nightmares in the same night.
As an added bonus, sleep burns more calories than watching TV or playing video games, so there isn’t any need to diet and starve yourselves for that perfect body. A little bit of extra sleep can go a long way.
Now, all people have their sacred sleeping rituals. Some sleep with one pillow, some sleep with two, and many sleep with 17. Personally, I sleep with six. Others can’t sleep without that certain tattered blanket or old stuffed animal. These habits and possessions bring us a specific kind of comfort and serenity that you can’t find anywhere else except while sleeping.
The power of sleep has been around for as long as anybody can remember. Sleeping Beauty and Snow White were both very talented sleepers, and when they woke up, they were happy, successful and always looked beautiful.
Courtnee Cartwright is a senior at Grantsville High School.
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