Sleep deprivation can result in several consequences not only for your physical health but your psychological state too. For this reason, it is integral to get at least seven hours of sleep at night in adulthood and ensure those in your household under 18 get ten-fourteen hours of sleep each night. The side effects of sleep deprivation are multitudinous, which is why we’ve compiled this list of seven surprising effects that sleep deprivation has on your body.
1. Lessened productivity and concentration
Sleep encourages your cognitive processes, which makes problem-solving far easier and less strenuous on your brain. However, sleep deprivation impairs not only your concentration but your attention, alertness, and reasoning. This can hinder your ability to function quite substantially, particularly at work, while driving, and even just having general conversations.
2. Increased risk of health problems
The time you spend sleeping is the time your body spends resetting. Replacement of cells, reorganising nerves, and energy restoration are all processes during sleep that don’t happen as efficiently when you’re awake. Thus, it should come as no surprise that your interrupted bodily functions due to lack of sleep can cause an increased risk of heart disease, attack, and failure, as well as high blood pressure, the likelihood of strokes, and diabetes. Studies show that 90% of people with sleep disorders have multiple health conditions.
3. Depression
One of the most serious side effects of sleep deprivation is the increased likelihood of the development of depression. Sleep loss tends to aggravate depressive symptoms, so it is vital you get as much sleep as possible each night to prevent the development of depression.
4. Skin Ageing
We’ve all noticed those bags under our eyes when we haven’t had a good night's sleep before. But one of the side effects of sleep deprivation is actually that your skin ages far faster than it normally would. This is due to the overproduction of cortisol, a stress hormone that can destroy collagen and make your skin less elastic and encourage the development of fine lines.
5. A weakened immune system
Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system. We tend to feel more tired when we’re sick, and fall asleep far easier than we normally would. This is because your immune system functions better during sleep. Your body gives you this signal when well, so you should remember this tip when ill.
6. Weight gain
Another of the side effects of sleep deprivation is that your body takes longer to realise it has had its fill and is no longer hungry. Ghrelin is a gut hormone that signals to your body that you are hungry. But when you’re sleep deprived, the presence of this hormone is amplified, and you take far longer to feel full. Leptin is the antithesis, but the production of this hormone is lessened substantially when you’re sleep-deprived.
7. Riskier decision making
There is a reason people regret doing the things they do at 2am, and that’s because sleep deprivation can cause you to act more impulsively. When you’re well rested, your brain functions normally, and you can calculate the things you do with the consequences in mind. But lack of sleep can cause your ordinary thought processes to move aside for riskier decisions you possibly wouldn’t normally make.
Strive to get enough sleep every night, and you may notice that your overall quality of life improves in more ways than one! There’s no harm in trying.
