Your brain needs you to sleep so it can rest, reset, and restart correctly. So, sound sleep is an important requisite for the maintenance of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Due to this reason, sleep is considered as important as food and water. Insufficient sleep can adversely affect your brain, your heart, and your immune system. People who do not have good-quality sleep on a regular basis tend to become drowsy and tired during the daytime. It compromises their ability to think clearly, focus on tasks, and function at their best.
Lack of sleep is often referred to as Insomnia in medical terms. The causes of Insomnia may be due to physical, mental, and psychological conditions. Anxiety, sleep apnea, jet lag, irregular work hours, digestive disorders, etc are some of the reasons for Insomnia.
Side effects and health problems due to lack of proper sleep
1. Effects brain function
Your brain needs you to sleep so it can work better. It is only when you fall into a deep sleep, your brain starts building memory and moves the temporary memory into the subconscious mind.
When you are learning a new skill or studying for an exam, make sure you get enough sleep. Then, your brain can preserve or store new information in the form of memory.
2. Effects heart health
If you don’t sleep well, your body does not get any time to rest. Constant work puts relentless pressure on the heart and can lead to cardiovascular damage.
Also Read: 10 Simple & Proven Tips to have Better Sleep at Night
3. Poor Immunity
Insufficient sleep spikes the level of stress hormones inside your body. This stress hormone called cortisol works the same way as a steroid shot given after an allergic reaction. It increases the body’s immune response to minimize inflammation. But in the absence of an allergic reaction, the spike in cortisol reduces the body’s ability to fight infections.
4. May lead to depression
Inadequate sleep on a daily basis makes your body not produce enough of the happy hormone (serotonin). So, you will be more irritated and depressed. This is the reason why some antidepressants tend to make you sleepy.
5. Triggers weight gain
Lack of sleep increases the level of the stress hormone (cortisol). This makes you crave sugar and carbohydrates. A high intake of sugar and carbs constantly makes you gain weight while also increasing the risk of diabetes.
6. Fluctuates blood sugar levels
The constant spike of stress hormones due to lack of sleep is similar to taking a high dose of steroids all the time. Moreover, it will make you feel constantly hungry and makes you eat more carbs. Excessive consumption of carbs and sugars can damage your pancreas and may take a toll on your health.
Also Read: Bedtime Meditation For Better Sleep : Fight Insomania
