Sleep is one of the most crucial activities a person indulges in every day. An average person spends at least one-third of their life sleeping. The younger ones tend to sleep more than adults. Nevertheless, a six to eight hour sleep every day is mandatory for every adult in order to remain fit and healthy.
Unfortunately at present, people tend to get caught up with their work often. Technology has effectively pushed average working hours beyond office time. So in order to keep up with the deadlines and the work pressure, sleep is the first thing most people end up compromising. This, however, does not happen without consequences!
Here are some of the reasons why you need to be selfish about your sleep – everyday!
Sleep Deprivation – Short Term Consequences
Sleep deprivation is known to be linked with the following:
1. Lowered Alertness
2. Difficulty in Focusing
3. Difficulty in Decision Making
4. Emotional Instability
5. Mood Swings
6. Increased Risk of Accidents
7. Difficulty in Learning New Skills
8. Incapacity to Solve Problems
9. Inability to Think Creatively
10. Increased Stress
11. Feeling De-Motivated
12. And Other Similar Symptoms
During sleep, the brain performs several essential functions which help you nourish your cognitive abilities. When you are forcefully keeping yourself awake during your sleep hours, not only does your productivity suffer but also your brain functions get hampered. This, in turn, leads to a host of problems which can put you at elevated risk throughout the day!
Sleep Deprivation – Long Term Consequences
Most people don’t pursue a 24/7 schedule on a regular basis – it is a one-time affair to meet a specific deadline which is apparently quite important. But those who do face severe long term consequences. Here are some of the chronic problems that can develop due to consistent sleep deprivation and insomnia.
1. Obesity: Lack of sleep is known to be linked with weight gain. Over the long term, this may develop into obesity.
2. Diabetes: Lack of sleep alters the blood sugar levels and insulin production. Inappropriate sleep can therefore put you at a risk to develop “type 2” diabetes.
3. Cardiovascular Diseases and Hypertension: If you are not resting well, you body remains in a constant state of stress. This may translate into major cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.
4. Compromised Immunity: Stress also diminishes your body’s ability to counter foreign invasions.
5. Clinical Depression: Emotional instability may aggravate into depression and suicidal tendencies.
6. Common Cold: Those who don’t sleep well are more prone to get the common cold – often!
7. Cancers: Lack of sleep may develop into cancers as well though this relationship is still under research.
So the next time you are faced with the urge to pull an all-nighter just for fun or for work, think about how it will affect your health and life – both in the short run as well as in the long term!
Last but not the least; shop for an organic mattress to ensure you get undisturbed sleep during the night. It really makes a lot of difference!
