Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 2)
“Go to bed!” is a phrase that most of us don’t particularly like. But did you know that staying up all night can be bad for your mind and body? Here are five reasons why getting eight to nine hours of sleep a night is good for your health and performance.
Importance of concentration
If you don’t sleep well at night, you will be drowsy during the day, leading to tiredness and poor concentration. You won’t be able to focus at school, which could affect your grades.
To maintain your academic performance, you need to make sure you are well rested. Therefore, avoid using electronic devices at night and instead read or pack your bag an hour before going to bed.
Energy booster
Sleep gives you the energy to play with your friends at and outside of school. When you do not sleep, you feel sluggish and can’t sprint as fast at recess or have fun with your siblings when you get home.
With the energy you gain from resting, you can participate in more activities, be more active and have a better day.
Growth
Sleep plays a crucial role in your body’s physical and mental growth. When you sleep, your body releases a growth hormone that helps you grow bigger and stronger.
If you have a shortage of sleep, the growth hormone slows down, which affects your height and brain development. Eight to nine hours of sleep per night are essential if you want to gain size and strength.
Key to happiness
Getting the right amount of sleep is extremely important for your mood.
A lack of sleep can make you cranky, unfriendly and unhappy during the day.
According to scientific research, the amount of sleep we get has a direct impact on our behaviour and mood towards our loved ones.
Health benefits
Just like an apple, getting enough sleep keeps the doctor away.
If you get enough rest each night, you are less likely to get the flu, fever or other pesky illnesses.
Sleep protects you from coughs and colds, relaxes your muscles and helps you avoid headaches and muscle aches.
Use the puzzle below to test your knowledge of the vocabulary words in the story.
Suggested answers
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Before you read: Answers will vary.
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Stop and think: Not enough sleep can directly affect our mood and behaviour. It can make us cranky and unfriendly, even to family and friends.
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Consider: Our bodies release a growth hormone when we are asleep, which helps our bodies grow. Without enough sleep, the hormone will slow down, which can affect our mental and physical development.
