The objective of EF is to help improve English writing skills and that's what we contributors do here. So, you should do your draft essay and post it here for us to make our comments as to how you can further improve it. You need to have these parts - Introduction, body paragraphs and Conclusion. In the intro, tell why sleep is important very briefly. Then in body paras, take one point (reason) each body para that highlights why sleep is important. Support those reasons with examples.
You can google for finding facts for this essay. Do your first draft and post it here for our comments.
Introduction
A recent survey revealed that a large number of people sleep less than six hours each night, and that 75 percent of people encounter sleep difficulties a few nights a week. While a short-lived insomnia should not be of much concern, chronic sleep loss can lead to a myriad health problems including high blood pressure, weight gain, low immune system and much more. This essay explains the different ways in which sleep is important.
The Importance of Sleep
Mental and Emotional Well being
Sleep promotes a healthy brain functioning and emotional well being. When one sleeps, the brain is able to commit new information to the memory via a process known as memory consolidation. Studies show that individuals who slept after learning a new task performed well in tests than those who did not. Children and teens that are sleep-deficient are likely to encounter problems when it comes to getting along with their peers. They may feel impulsive and angry, feel sad, have mood swings, lack motivation or feel depressed (NIH, 2012).
Mood Enhancement, Metabolism and Weight Control
Sleep determines an individual's mood. Sleep loss may lead to irritability, lack of concentration, impatience, and moodiness. Inadequate sleep can also make one fatigued and unable to handle their normal tasks. This therefore means that sleep can help to boost one's mood, improve their concentration and put them in the right frame of mind to perform the normal tasks (Harvard Health Publications, 2006).
Sleep helps in metabolism and weight control. Prolonged sleep deprivation can result to weight gain as it affects the processing and storage of carbohydrates in the body besides altering the hormone levels that affect one's appetite (Harvard Health Publications, 2006).
Safety and Alertness
Sleep enhances safety and alertness when performing different tasks. Sleep debt increases the tendency of falling asleep or feeling drowsy at daytime. Such lapses may result to falls and other mistakes such as air traffic mishaps, medical errors, and road accidents. Studies indicate that sleep deficiency weakens one's ability to drive as much as, or even more than drinking does. Precisely, driver sleepiness is responsible for about 100,000 motor vehicle accidents every year, which results in around 1500 deaths (NIH, 2012).
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Sleep improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risks of suffering from heart related conditions such as hypertension, irregular heartbeat and many more (Harvard Health Publications, 2006).
Hormonal Balance
Sleep creates a healthy balance of those hormones that make one to feel full (leptin) or hungry (ghrelin). Inadequate sleep increases the level of ghlerin and lowers the level of leptin. This makes one to feel hungrier than when they are well-rest. Sleep enhances good growth and development. For instance, deep sleep will trigger the body to release a hormone responsible for the promotion of normal growth in teens and children. Besides, this hormone boosts the muscle mass and helps in the repair of tissues and cells in teens, children and adults. Sleep plays a critical role in fertility and puberty too (NIH, 2012).
Boosts the Immune System
Moreover, sleeping improves the immune system, which is the body's natural defense against ailments. Thus, sleep deprivation can alter the immune function and make one susceptible to a number of diseases. According to medical study, newborns should sleep for 16-18 hours each day; preschool- and school-aged children should sleep for 11-12 hours and 10 hours per day respectively. Teens should spend 9-10 hours a day sleeping and adults should sleep for 7 to 8 hours every day (NIH, 2012).
Conclusion
Sleep enhances the mental and emotional well being of children, teens and grownups. Sleep controls metabolism and weight; lack of sleep can cause weight gain. Adequate sleep boosts the right mood for productivity and improves safety when performing daily tasks. Besides, sound sleep promotes hormonal balance and boosts the immune system.
References
Harvard Health Publications (2006). Importance of Sleep: Six Reasons not to Skrimp on Sleep. Harvard Medical School, Harvard University
NIH (2012). Explore Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency: Why is Sleep Important? Department of Health and Human Services: USA Gov.
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