Studies reveal that sleep is one of the most important factors for general physical and emotional health. Here are some of the top benefits of sleep
1. Sleep helps reduce stress
Cortisol is a hormone released in the body when under stress. Studies have revealed that participants who have more stress and anxiety in their lives tend to have higher cortisol levels, which makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep at night. When you prioritize sleep, studies reveal that sleep helps to reduce elevated levels of stress hormones and further provides a buffering component to protect individuals from stress. This effect has important implications. For example, when you are stressed, assess your sleep levels and fight to get more sleep rather than less sleep during those moments.
2. Sleep improves memory
Recent studies have analyzed data that implicates that sleep is a significant factor when reducing or delaying the chances of memory loss due to aging in older adults. Not only that, but sleep improves memory for all ages and allows the brain to store and organize memories adequately, so that brain processing after sleep is more efficient and productive.
3. Sleep lowers blood pressure
This effect is essential. Whether that means having a goal of not wanting to take blood pressure medication or simply feeling healthier, protecting your sleep can be a necessary part of relaxation and ultimately reducing blood pressure.
4. Sleep is essential for your immune system
The body is incredibly adept at protecting itself from bacteria, viruses, and the like. When the body has less sleep than usual, that function becomes highly jeopardized and almost non-functioning. Sleep allows protein molecules to strengthen your ability to fight off infection.
5. Sleep may help you lose weight
Sleep is incredibly effective in regulating hormones that affect appetite. Thus, this helps with reducing craving for high-calorie foods. 
6. Sleep helps with mood
Sleep, especially rem-sleep, the deepest part of the sleep cycle, has been shown to modulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and epinephrine. These neuromodulators are known as your “happy” neurotransmitters. When it comes to mood, happiness, or positivity, these neurotransmitters have an ample supply in your brain. Because sleep helps modulate these neurotransmitters, it makes sense that it helps with mood during the day or when you are awake. The better you sleep, the more capacity to stay calm or control emotions.
7. Sleep could reduce your chance of diabetes
Another importance of sleep is that some research studies reveal that rest affects helping your body process glucose. Glucose processing is an essential component when leading to the contributing factors of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. There isn’t conclusive evidence to determinedly say that sleep prevents diabetes. Still, the research displays that it helps improve the body’s ability to process essential hormones like glucose.
8. Sleep is essential for your heart
Regular sleep patterns are essential for the cardiovascular system. As stress levels and inflammation reduces, the heart may work more efficiently and has more capacity to utilize oxygen and other nutrients to your body and muscles. That’s why it’s also essential after exercising or training to get ample amounts of reset so that your body may recover and continue to build up your cardiovascular system during sleep.
9. Sleep helps with pain
Sleep may even help with physical pain. Studies reveal that after patients had experienced an injury and slept more than usual, they explained less pain and seemed to have a lower pain threshold.
10. Sleep will help with more excellent athletic performance
Getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night benefits most athletes, who sometimes try and get 10 hours of sleep a night. The immediate effects improve performance intensity, energy, better coordination, faster speed, and better mental functioning to overall improved athletic performance. 
11. Sleep may prevent or buffer against depression
There have been consistent studies that show a link between a lack of sleep and depression.
12. Sleep helps your brain
Sleep benefits neurochemistry, neurotransmitters, and neuromodulators that help your brain process cognition, emotions, and memory. The more you sleep, the healthier your brain will be, and thus the more effective and productive you will be. Again, this adds to the motivation and determination that people may experience as they choose exercise programs. The decision to choose an exercise program, and stick with it, is primarily based on how you are taking care of your sleep. Don’t underestimate a good night’s rest!
