Sleep is essential for everyone and it’s part of a healthy lifestyle. Children need more sleep than adults. Studies show that kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health.  Getting enough sleep benefits you and also sets a good example for the kids in your life. 

Exercise your brain by learning a new hobby, volunteering your time, taking an education course, obtaining a certificate, or going on adventures with your family and friends, but make sure to get quality sleep to reap all the benefits!

Frontal Lobe: Responsible for creative thinking. Obtaining quality sleep can assist with imagination and originality. The ability to articulate thoughts and ideas with others may improve. 

Parietal Lobe: Responsible for math, logic, and pain. When we get a good night’s rest our processing of information and ability to form logical conclusions to problems may be faster. We may be able to think more quickly on our feet. Also, our perception of pain and discomfort may be less, allowing us to drive through an uncomfortable task.

Temporal Lobe: Responsible for language. Sleep helps with clear speech and being able to make sense of what someone else is telling us. We are also more likely to recognize an old friend or acquaintance after a good night’s rest.

Occipital Lobe: Responsible for vision. Getting enough quality sleep assists with processing visual stimuli, identifying shapes, recognizing colors, and sizes, and tracking the movement of objects. 

Neocortex: Responsible for memory and learning. While sleeping, our experiences and emotions from the day get consolidated. Our brains begin to make sense of it all. Our short-term memories get converted into long-term memories.

Temporal Lobe: Responsible for language. Getting a good night’s rest assists with clear speech and our ability to properly articulate words.

Prefrontal Cortex: Responsible for judgment and visuals. Getting the right amount of quality sleep can mean clear vision and the ability to think more clearly when fatigued.

Glymphatic System:  When sleeping the brain has its own housekeeping capabilities that sweep away toxins, damaged cells, and other waste that builds up when we are awake. This “scrubbing” and removal of waste improves the communication between nerve cells, called neurons in the brain and reduces our risk of developing neurogenerative diseases like dementia or Alzheimers later in life. Be sure to stay hydrated and prioritize sleep!

Visit your local Installation Volunteer Coordinator, Marine Corps Family Team Building, Personal and Professional Development, or Family Care Office to expand your horizons and Semper Fit for adventure ideas. If you are struggling with getting a good night’s rest, reach out to Semper Fit for Sleep Coaching!