When it comes to health, exercise and nutrition are what come to mind. However, a neglected aspect of it is sleep. There is a reason why it is recommended to sleep for 7-9 hours a day and anything less or more can cause severe physical and mental health issues. You get prone to health risks, from depression and impaired cognitive functions to weight gain and cardiovascular diseases.
When it comes to our fast-paced modern life, sleeping less and toiling more has become an achievement of sorts. Increased screen time and an unbalanced lifestyle further add to that. But just think of the days when you are sleep-deprived. You lack energy, are cranky, and get easily irritated. Now think if that happens over a long time.
What Happens When You Sleep Less
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Here are some effects of sleep deprivation on physical and mental health:
- Lack of sleep over time can be depressing. In fact, as per a study involving 10,000 participants, it was found that people who suffered from insomnia were five times more likely to develop depression. Notably, depression and less sleep have a kind of symbiotic relationship. Depression in most cases makes you sleep less, while lack of sleep can cause the former. Gladly, if your sleep improves, there would be a positive impact on depression and vice versa.
- You tend to forget more when you sleep less. This is because there is memory consolidation while you zzz at night.
- If you wonder when sleep-deprived, why you have difficulty concentrating, your thinking is blurry and your reasoning and judgement poor, this is because lack of sleep impairs your cognitive functioning. To put it bluntly, it makes you dumb.
- Sleep deprivation can also be a public health hazard. As per media reports last year, sleep-deprived drivers are the reason behind 40% of road accidents. Hence, catch up on sleep not just for your health but for the general public at large.
- Not just cranky mood, lack of sleep can also show on your belly. As per a study, those who sleep for less than 6 hours a day are 30% more likely to get obese than those who sleep for 7 to 8 hours. It’s believed that sleep affects appetite. As per research, lack of sleep boosts the hunger hormone, called ghrelin, and decreases the level of leptin, which makes you feel full. Who would have thought that sleeping would be a way to lose weight?
- Lack of sleep also leads to some serious health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
- There’s a reason why beauty sleep is a thing. This is because sleep affects your skin. Want proof? Just notice how your skin turns pale and your eyes puffy when you don’t sleep right. It also makes your skin age prematurely.
Just like lack of sleep has health implications, overdoing it brings with it its fair share of troubles. Before we get into those, it’s critical to note that there are serious health issues that often make people sleep more. Such conditions include depression, hypersomnia, sleep apnea etc. These are serious medical conditions and need an expert’s supervision. So, consult a doctor in case of these.
Also read: Sleepy After Lunch? Tips To Manage Afternoon Fatigue
Effects Of Oversleeping
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A normal healthy adult should sleep for 7-8 hours a day and anything more has physical and mental health implications:
- Not just lack of it, sleeping more is believed to increase your risk of getting cardiovascular diseases.
- Oversleeping is also believed to increase your risk of getting diabetes.
- It can also make you obese.
- Oversleeping can lead to a headache. That’s because it is believed that sleeping for a long time affects the functioning of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Also, the same happens when you oversleep during the day, because of which you have to stay up all night.
- Sleeping more can also give you a bad backache.
So, as you saw that proper sleep is crucial for good health. It’s crucial that you don’t neglect it for getting more done. Remember, a well-rested mind and body are crucial to moving ahead in life and without them, you will lose steam midway.
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