You may think that you know what you need to know about the benefits of a good night’s rest. You understand that it’s part of your good health. But, there are more benefits to sleeping well – here are 5 of them.

In a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving tired was the leading cause of single-car accidents in 2009. Driving tired accidents outnumbered those from driving under the influence. Plus, they didn’t tally how driving tired impacted accidents with more than one vehicle. Just one night of insufficient sleep can be detrimental. So, if you’re pushing to get home from the big vacation or driving on to get to your destination even after you know your tired. Pull over. Stop at a motel. Get the sleep you need. The easiest way is to make sure you’re rested before you get on the road.

If you are involved in a creative job or just want to get up in the morning and paint a picture or write a letter, sleep will help. Researchers at Harvard found that a good night’s sleep not only helps your brain consolidate your memories; it also strengthens the emotional components of those memories and Harvard thinks that accounts for increased creativity.

Or, at least, tolerate it better! You may not think of pain and sleep – unless pain is keeping you awake. But, researches at the University of Warwick showed that people with chronic pain had a significant reduction in pain after a good night’s rest. It may mean that doctors need to tackle both pain and sleep as a single therapy instead of just focusing on pain management.

You’ll be amazed at what a good night’s rest can do for those athletic powers – whether you’re getting ready for a competition or just ready to be a weekend warrior. Stanford University did a study of football players and had them sleep at least 10 hours a night for 7 or 8 weeks. Their average sprint time improved plus they had more stamina. Putting that much sleep into your schedule may be difficult, but don’t ever underestimate the power of a good night’s rest and your athletic abilities.

Sleep will help decrease anxiety. It has been shown that a lack of sleep contributes to being depressed. When you sleep well, you are more emotionally stable. And, don’t try to make up lost sleep on the weekend – plan on getting a good night’s sleep every night!

One of the ingredients in a good night’s rest is a supportive, comfortable mattress. If you’ve put off buying a new mattress, even though you know your old mattress is sagging and uncomfortable, it’s time to buy a new one. Worried about finding the mattress that is right for you? Worried about your budget? Do your shopping on the Internet! You’ll find great supportive mattresses made from state-of-the-art foams. You’ll find them at affordable prices and they come with a trial period as long as 120 days. Not quite right? Return it for a full refund. No worries – no high prices, just a great night’s rest!