A-Z CHALLENGE

http://tossingitout.blogspot.com

So we come to the end of the alphabet.  The end of a challenge I honestly had no idea I could keep up with.  I am so appreciative of the wonderful new friends I have found.  I had no idea I would learn so much about poems, music, states, mountains, rivers, writing, fantasy, YA and so so much more.

It has been so much fun I think I am going to keep it up.  Thank you Arlee, Jeffrey, Alex, Jen, Candace, Karen, Talli and Stephen for hosting.

I visited 311 blogs.  I had visions of being able to visit all of them and I honestly still hope too.

Since I personally challenged myself to post everyday as close to 12am as I could I am in desperate need of a few extra of my “Z” word….ZZZZZZZZZZZZ’s.

According to Harvard Women’s Health Watch (sounds official):

Six reasons to get enough sleep:

1) Learning and Memory- Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation.  In studies, people who slept after learning a new task did better on tests later.

2) Metabolism and Weight- Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.

3) Safety- Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the day time.  These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps and road accidents.

4) Mood- Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate and moodiness.

5) Cardiovascular health- Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels and irregular heartbeat.

6) Disease- Sleep deprivation alters immune function including the activity of the body’s killer cells.  Keeping up with sleep may also fight cancer.

Goodnight ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ’s
Doreen