7 SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT SLEEP YOU SHOULD KNOW

Yes, we love a great early-morning workout. But we also know about the importance of a good night's sleep, and not just because sleep deprivation is tied to weight gain. Here, the most interesting health...

facts that warn against burning the candle at both ends. Pace
yourself, people.
1. Flu-Z's
If you're sleep-deprived before getting your flu shot, it can take
three to four weeks for the vaccine to kick in. Those who don't get
appropriate rest have a weaker immune system, which hinders the
vaccination's effectiveness.
2. Take This to Heart
Poor sleep is more dangerous to women than to men. Women experience
higher risks of cardiovascular problems when they don't get enough
rest and they're also more susceptible to psychological distress,
depression, and anger.
3. Big-C Shifts
There's a link between those who work night shifts and chest cancer;
researchers say they think it's because melatonin is suppressed, which
is necessary for protection against some cancers. "Shift work that
involves circadian disruption" is officially listed as a probable
carcinogen.
4. Gasp! Wait… What?
Not only does lack of sleep hurt your ability to learn, but there's
also a link between sleep-disordered breathing (i.e., sleep apnea) and
dementia in women. Mental impairment is consistently associated with
hypoxia, which is when the brain gets less oxygen due to breathing
disruptions.
5. Rise and Grind
Auto accidents increase by 17 percent on the Monday after Daylight
Saving Time occurs, which is when people "lose" an hour of sleep.
Heart attacks increase by approximately 5 percent.
6. Pillow Balk
For couples who sleep together (a whopping 23 percent don't), one
partner typically loses about 49 minutes of sleep every night, due to
disruptive behaviors. These could include anything from a companion's
tossing and turning, the TV being on, the room's temperature being too
hot or cold, and more.
7. Sleep Sweep
It's important to take responsibility for your sleep health, because
the truth is that your general physician may not know that much about
sleep. Doctors today typically receive less than a semester's worth of
sleep education, and sleep medicine wasn't recognized as an individual
practice until 1995.