Did you know more than 51-percent of the world’s adult population is unable to get sufficient sleep? Well, almost every other adult feels sleep deprived in today’s fast-paced world. Sleep deprivation is a state experienced when we do not get sufficient sleep due to voluntary or involuntary reasons. A sleep-deprived person experiences these symptoms; tiredness, constant yawning, dozing off, etc. Since these symptoms are mild, one can easily tackle them using a weighted blanket for adults or practicing sleep hygiene. However, continuous sleep deprivation can deteriorate your health severely. Below, we’ve discussed a few of these health effects. One needs to seek proper medical assistance in that case. Read more!
Weakened Immune System
The immune system refers to the body’s self-defense mechanism. When we sleep, our immune system works to strengthen our defenses against bacteria and diseases. It does so by producing special protective substances, such as cytokines and antibodies. However, a lack of sleep prevents these processes. As a result, your immune system deteriorates, and you become an easy target for germs. Not only that, but your body will struggle to recover from diseases too.
Slowed Reaction Time
The mental health of a sleep-deprived individual suffers the most. Lack of sleep lowers concentration levels and alertness. Hence, focusing on the simplest of chores becomes difficult. It reduces a person’s reaction time that refers to the time taken to respond to a certain situation or task. Confusion clouds the mind and impairs judgment. You won’t be able to analyze situations and make the right decisions. This particular effect brings forth the worst results in scenarios like driving.
Experts state that a sleep-deprived driver is like a drunk driver with 0.08% blood alcohol content. Thus, sleepiness puts you at risk of fatal accidents. Having a slowed reaction time also disrupts your productivity and efficiency. You lose responsiveness, affecting your personal and work life negatively. You won’t be able to lead your team in the workspace or communicate properly at home.
Extreme Mood Swings
Another psychological effect of sleep deprivation is extreme emotional outbursts. Your mood can fluctuate a lot, causing anger and irritability. Handling and managing stress is a challenge for sleep-deprived individuals. And so, they tend to project it out by quarreling, shouting, and engaging in arguments with others. These mood swings lead to disturbances in relationships. People interacting with you will feel overwhelmed by the negative emotion projection. They might stop talking or argue back. Hence, triggering more mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Increased Heart Problems
Sleep deprivation has a great impact on your cardiovascular health too. According to one study, insomniacs or sleep-deprived individuals were 27 to 45-percent more likely to experience heart attacks and strokes than others.
You see, sleep has a direct relation with the processes affecting:
- Blood sugar
- Blood pressure
- Inflammation levels
And, all these factors work together to keep your heart and blood circulation system healthy. The slightest of imbalances in any of these factors mess up things and leads to health issues.
.
.
