A good night’s sleep is essential for the brain and body. Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep affects our health, mental well-being, and ability to carry out everyday activities. Let us take a closer look at the effects of sleep deprivation on our health.
- Insulin management – Sleep deprivation influences how our body reacts to insulin, the hormone responsible for glucose regulation. Consequently, glucose levels rise, increasing the risk of diabetes.
- The immune system – Studies have shown that people who do not get enough or quality sleep are more prone to infections, such as a common cold. Poor sleep can also impact the recovery time. Long-term sleep deficiency can lead to continual low-level inflammation, which can eventually cause chronic medical problems.
- Cognitive performance – Sleep deficiency leaves the brain exhausted and impairs functions such as decision-making and memory. Deep sleep is vital for organization and memory consolidation. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for handling reasoning, and the amygdala, in charge of emotions, are affected by lack of sleep. Therefore, poor sleep affects our learning and makes it harder to form new memories.
- The cardiovascular system – Quality sleep is essential for the heart vessels to heal and rebuild. It directly impacts the processes that maintain sugar levels, blood pressure, and inflammation control. For that reason, sleep deprivation may increase the probability of cardiovascular diseases.
- Hormone levels – Lack of sleep affects hormone production, leading to various problems. For instance, the body is more likely to release stress hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine. The production of testosterone and growth hormone is also affected. Fluctuations in the level of hormones determining feelings of hunger and fullness can also result in weight gain.
- Mood – People who do not get enough quality sleep have a more challenging time managing their emotions, making suitable decisions, and coping with daily life aspects. Sleep deficiency can also cause mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and invoke suicidal tendencies. Constant irritability and moodiness can affect our relationships and cause disruptions in social life.
- Growth and development – Growth hormones that promote healthy growth, enhance muscle mass, manage puberty and fertility, and heals cells and tissues, are released during deep sleep. Therefore, children who do not get enough sleep may have mood swings, learning issues, and difficulty socializing with peers.
- Greater likelihood for accidents – Sleep deprivation limits our ability to stay alert, react quickly and make decisions. As a result, too little sleep increases the risk of drowsy driving, leading to accidents. Also, people who suffer from sleep issues are more prone to workplace accidents.
Persistent sleep deprivation can lead to severe physical and mental health conditions. Therefore, we must take the appropriate measures to handle the situation. Making our environment sleep-friendly and introducing changes to our lifestyle can be beneficial. Investing in an orthopedic mattress that enhances sleep is one such change. A good mattress ensures proper rest, which is crucial for the body and mind to feel refreshed and fit.
