The Shiro Corporation Sleep is often considered a more important basic need for children and teenagers, given that they are in a period of growth and development.
However, many do not realize that adequate sleep is also very important for adults, which is often sacrificed for work, family, or lifestyle.
Health Management Specialist at Corporate HR Kompas Gramedia, Dr. Santi revealed that most adults believe their bodies have adapted to short sleep durations.
"That is actually a myth," Santi told him. The Shiro Corporation , Received on (16/6/2025).
According to him, everyone of all ages needs sufficient sleep duration.
The reason why sleep is very important for adults lies in the long-term impacts that can be caused if lack of sleep continues to be habitual.
"The body, brain, and mental state of that person will still gradually experience problems, but surely, if lack of sleep is not immediately fixed," he said.
Hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's are some examples of long-term health risks mentioned by Santi that can occur in adults with the habit of sleeping insufficiently.
Benefits of sleep for adults
Sufficient sleep has many benefits that contribute to overall health and well-being for everyone, including adults.
Mengutip Sleep Foundation , benefits of sleep that can be obtained for the health of adults include:
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A better mood
Sleep restores the body and increases energy levels, thus can make a positive mood when waking up.
On the contrary, people who get less sleep are at higher risk of experiencing mental stress.
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Maintaining heart health
During sleep, the heart rate slows down, and blood pressure decreases.
This means that, when sleeping, the heart and cardiovascular system can rest.
Meanwhile, lack of sleep causes blood pressure to remain high for long periods, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and heart failure.
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Controlling blood sugar stability
Sleep affects the function of insulin hormone, which helps blood sugar enter the body cells that need it.
Getting enough sleep helps ensure that body cells use insulin properly and blood sugar remains stable.
Adults who do not get enough sleep are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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Strengthening memory and cognition
Getting enough sleep for adults can help maintain memory and thinking skills.
During sleep, the brain can grow, reorganize, restructure, and form new neural connections.
The connections in the brain help individuals learn new information and form memories.
To get this benefit of sleep, Santi says that adults need at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
"People's sleep needs vary, but generally adults are considered to need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to stay healthy," he explained.
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Strengthening the immune system
During sleep, the body produces growth hormones that also play a role in repairing tissues and cells in people of all ages.
The body also produces cytokines during sleep, which support the immune system in fighting infections.
So, lack of sleep can affect the immune system's response to infection.
Chronic lack of sleep can make a person more susceptible to common infections, such as the flu, and can trigger an increased risk of immune deficiency.
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Controlling body weight
Sleep also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight.
During sleep, the body naturally produces more appetite suppressants, called leptin, while reducing the production of ghrelin, the hunger-stimulating substance.
Signs of lack of sleep
For those who feel they are getting enough sleep, it is important to remain vigilant for signs of insufficient sleep.
Santi recommends that adults check the signs of lack of sleep below:
- Tired and lacking energy
- Mood swings and easily offended
- Yawning repeatedly
- Hard to concentrate and forgetful
- It's difficult to wake up early.
- Dependency on alarms or needing someone else to wake you up
- Feeling sleepy during activities, such as meetings or driving.
- Often need to take a nap
- Lesu and feeling sleepy towards evening
- Easily fall asleep while sitting leisurely in the evening
- Fall asleep in just a few minutes
- Want to make up for lost sleep on the weekend.
- Decreased sexual desire
- Experiencing mood disorders such as stress, anxiety, to depression
Santi reminds of the importance of recognizing these signs as a warning to improve sleep habits.
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