7 benefits of sleep after a breast cancer diagnosis

1. Clearer thinking: If you’re already experiencing “chemo brain” or feel overwhelmed by decisions and to-do lists, quality sleep can sharpen your thinking, enhance memory, and help you face challenges productively.
2. Enhanced focus: A well-rested mind is more focused and alert, so you can be more productive at work and safer behind the wheel.
3. Better mood: Chronic lack of sleep puts you at greater risk for developing depression and interferes with your relationships. Healthy levels of sleep help reduce stress and improve mood.
4. Healthy sexual desire: Research shows that adequate rest boosts interest in sex and the likelihood of physical arousal.
5. Improved physical fitness: When you’re overtired, your hormones may trigger cravings, especially for fatty and high-carbohydrate foods. Less energy may also lead to less exercise. Well rested, you can make healthier choices overall.
6. Supporting health: While you sleep, your body releases hormones that promote your body’s natural healing and benefits your immune system. Well-rested people also appear to show better responses to vaccines for illnesses such as the flu.
7. Reduced risk of health issues: When you sleep soundly, your body goes through changes in stress hormones, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. This impacts your heart health and can play a role in conditions such as diabetes.

With all these impacts on mood, thinking, and long-term health, it’s obvious how important good sleep is, especially for people diagnosed with breast cancer. Check out How to manage sleep difficulties related to breast cancer for strategies and techniques for improving your sleep.