No Sleep Can Cause Cancer?
Author: Shannon Miller Lifestyle
by Snowden McFall
It’s true. According to the World Health Organization, getting less than 7 hours a night of sleep is a carcinogen: cancer-causing agent.
That’s a big surprise to most people. New research out of England shows that lack of sleep is the strongest predictor of pain for those over 50. So not getting enough sleep could mean cancer and pain.
Less than 7 hours also means you are functioning at a cognitive disadvantage; your brain is just not working properly. You are also three times more susceptible to colds and flu when you get too little sleep.
And for those of you watching your weight, you may be shocked to learn that if you get less than 7 hours of sleep, you are more likely to gain weight and carry an extra twenty pounds. That’s because your body is 30% less efficient at burning calories when it is sleep-deprived! And we’ve all experienced craving sugar or carbs when we’re tired. It all adds up to weight gain and poor health.
Fortune Small Business reported that 13% of entrepreneurs have trouble getting to sleep every night. Do that long enough, you end up with high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that over time, can wreak havoc on your immune system.
Three factors influence your ability to get a good night’s sleep:
- Duration– you need at least 7 hours of sleep
- Intensity– which is impacted by whether you got 30 minutes of sunshine (healthy Vitamin D) during the day and whether your room is nice and dark at night
- Timing– try to go to bed at the same time every night
How to Improve Your Sleep:
- Don’t look at your ipad®, phone screen or computer before bed; shut down your exposure to visual stimulants from computer screens at least an hour before bedtime.
- Don’t check email at least two hours before bed. It can wait until tomorrow. Make your bedroom a sanctuary for sleeping, making love and resting. No TV in your bedroom, no computers, phones or electronics.
- Make your bedroom cool and dark, and get yourself ready for bed at least an hour before bed. Don’t do any business reading before bed because your brain will keep you awake thinking. Try light fiction to help you doze off. I am a huge believer in sound machines or the app “White Noise.” I listen to waves gentling breaking all night and it soothes me into sleep.
Getting a good night’s sleep every night has a huge impact on your health, your stress levels, your business success, your body’s pain and more. Make it a priority. Your body and your loved ones will thank you.
©Snowden McFall, All Rights Reserved
Snowden McFall, keynote speaker, corporate trainer and author is a 30 year entrepreneur. Owner of Brightwork Advertising and Training and Fired Up! Professional Speaking, Snowden has written 5 books, including Fired Up!which has sold 65,000+ copies worldwide, and Stress Express! 15 Instant Stress Relievers. An expert on stress, productivity and motivation, she has appeared on 320 radio shows, CNN Financial News, The Home Shopping Network, Bloomberg Television, Investors Business Daily, Success Magazine and foxnews.com. She can be reached at www.firedupnow.com and at 904-940-7355