Can your heart hurt from lack of sleep? How lack of sleep affects the body: terrible consequences and unexpected benefits. Bad appearance

How many hours of sleep does the average person need to truly rest? The number of hours ranges from 6 to 8 per day - this time should be quite enough for a person to be able to continue working without harm to his health. But if you are constantly lacking sleep, this is fraught with serious consequences, ranging from mild neurosis and the risk of extra centimeters on the waist, and ending with more serious problems - heart disease and increased risk develop diabetes.

Unpleasant symptoms may appear after the first night of lack of sleep. What else threatens bad dream? The Huffington Post decided to look into this in more detail.

Some brilliant people sleep was practically unnecessary, and they did not suffer without it. For example, Leonardo da Vinci only needed 1.5-2 hours of sleep a day, Nikola Tesla - 2-3 hours, Napoleon Bonaparte slept at intervals for a total of about 4 hours. You can consider yourself a genius as much as you like and believe that if you sleep 4 hours a day, you will have time to do much more, but your body may not agree with you, and after several days of torment it will begin to sabotage your work, whether you want it, or not.

Infographics

What happens to the body after one day of lack of sleep

You start to overeat. So, if you have had little or poor sleep at least one night, you will feel hungrier than after a standard sleep. Studies have shown that lack of sleep provokes appetite, as well as the choice of higher calorie, with increased content carbohydrates, and not entirely healthy foods.

Attention deteriorates. Due to drowsiness, your alertness and reaction deteriorate, and this, in turn, can lead to accidents on the road or at work (if you work with your hands or are a doctor or driver, which is even worse). If you sleep 6 hours or less, your risk of road accidents increases threefold.

Getting worse appearance. Bruises under the eyes after a bad sleep are not the best decoration. Sleep is not only good for your brain, but also for your appearance. A small study in the journal SLEEP published last year found that people who sleep less seem less attractive. And research conducted in Sweden also showed a connection between rapid skin aging and lack of normal sleep.

The risk of catching colds increases. Adequate sleep is one of the building blocks of the immune system. A study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University found that sleeping less than 7 hours a day increases your risk of getting sick by three times. Moreover, Mayo Clinic experts explain that during sleep, the body produces special proteins - cytokines. Some of them help support deep sleep, and some need to be increased to protect the body when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you are stressed. As a result of lack of sleep, the production of these protective cytokines decreases and you get sick longer.

You risk getting microdamage to the brain. A recent small study conducted with fifteen men and published in the same journal SLEEP showed that even after one night of sleep deprivation, the brain loses some of its tissue. This can be detected by measuring the levels of two molecules in the blood, which when elevated usually signal that the brain has been damaged.

Of course, this is just a small study conducted on fifteen men - not that big of a sample. But how can you be sure that this will not affect you?

You become more emotional. And not in better side. According to a 2007 study from Harvard and Berkeley medical schools, if you don't get enough sleep, the emotional areas of the brain become more than 60% reactive, meaning you become more emotional, irritable and explosive. The fact is that without enough sleep, our brain switches to more primitive forms of activity and is not able to properly manage emotions.

You may have problems with memory and concentration. In addition to problems with attention, there are problems with memory and concentration. It becomes difficult for you to concentrate on completing assigned tasks, and your memory also deteriorates, since sleep is involved in the process of memory consolidation. So, if you don't sleep enough, memorizing new material will become more and more difficult for you (depending on how bad your situation is).

What happens to your body if you don't sleep enough in the long term?

Let's say you have an exam or an urgent project and you just need to reduce your sleep to a minimum in order to get everything done. This is acceptable in short periods, just try not to drive and warn everyone in advance that you are very tired and may react a little inadequately, emotionally. After passing an exam or finishing a project, you will rest, get some sleep, and get back into shape again.

But if your job means that your standard sleep time of 7-8 hours has decreased to 4-5, you need to seriously think about changing either the approach to work or the work itself, as the consequences constant shortage dreams are much sadder than simple nervousness or dark circles under the eyes. The longer you maintain this unhealthy regimen, the higher the price your body will pay for it.

The risk of stroke increases. Research published in the journal SLEEP in 2012 found that sleep deprivation (less than 6 hours of sleep) for older adults increases the risk of stroke by 4 times.

The risk of becoming obese increases. Simply overeating due to lack of sleep for a day or two is nothing compared to what can happen to you if constant lack of sleep becomes your default routine. As mentioned in the previous section, lack of sleep provokes an increase in appetite and, of course, leads to constant night snacking. All this together transforms into extra pounds.

The likelihood of developing certain types of cancer increases. Of course, it won't appear simply because you don't sleep enough. But poor sleep can trigger the appearance of precancerous lesions. Thus, as a result of a study conducted among 1240 participants (a colonoscopy was performed), those who slept less than 6 hours a day increased by 50% the risk of developing a colorectal adenoma, which over time can turn into a malignant formation.

Increases the likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus. A 2013 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that getting too little (and too much!) sleep was associated with an increased risk of many chronic diseases, including diabetes. This is due to the fact that lack of sleep, on the one hand, leads to the risk of obesity, and on the other hand, insulin sensitivity decreases.

The risk of heart disease increases. Harvard Health Publications reports that chronic sleep deprivation is associated with increased blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure and heart attack. Research conducted in 2011 at Warwick Medical School found that if you sleep less than 6 hours a night and sleep disturbances, you get a “bonus” in the form of a 48% increased chance of dying from heart disease and a 15% increased chance of dying from heart disease. stroke. Staying up late or into the morning for a long period is a ticking time bomb!

The number of sperm decreases. This point applies to those who still want to experience the happiness of fatherhood, but are putting it off for now because they are busy accumulating an inheritance. In 2013, a study was conducted in Denmark among 953 young men, during which it was found that men with sleep disorders had a sperm concentration in semen that was 29% lower than those who slept the standard 7-8 hours a day.

The risk of premature death increases. The study, which assessed 1,741 men and women over 10 to 14 years, found that men who slept less than 6 hours a night increased their chances of dying prematurely.

All this was data obtained during research. But, as we know, in our contradictory world, research data can be completely opposite. Today we can read that new magic pills will save us from all diseases, and tomorrow an article may appear stating that other studies have shown completely opposite results.

You may or may not believe in the long-term benefits of chronic sleep deprivation, but you can't deny the fact that if you don't get enough sleep, you become irritable and inattentive, have trouble remembering information, and even dread looking in the mirror. Therefore, let's spare ourselves and sleep at least 6 hours a day for ourselves, our loved ones, at least in the short term.

If you are constantly lacking sleep, it can negatively affect your health. Find out more about the main physiological changes in the body, which can result from chronic lack of sleep, as well as methods for solving this problem.

Unfortunately, lack of sleep very quickly affects a person’s well-being and performance.

Of course, we all don't get enough sometimes sufficient quantity night's rest through stressful situations or other negative external factors. However, if it occurs rarely, a single lack of sleep is much less of a threat than chronic insomnia.

If you have been suffering from sleep disorders for three months or more, you should sound the alarm. Be sure to consult a specialist if lack of sleep is negatively affecting your quality of life.

First of all, you need to determine the source of the problem.

Sometimes chronic pain, depression, sleep apnea and jet lag lead to insomnia, which can only be cured with the help of a qualified therapist.

At such moments, you toss and turn in bed for several hours, unsuccessfully trying to fall asleep. If the same situation repeats for several days in a row, you should consult a doctor.

Of course, insomnia is not fatal disease. However, chronic lack of sleep significantly reduces the quality of life, and we should not forget that insomnia is often caused by severe, sometimes even incurable, diseases.

This fact may surprise you, but chronic sleep deprivation often leads to other disorders. In this article we will talk more about this.

Biological changes in the body caused by lack of sleep

You probably already know that to restore strength and maintain wellness a person needs to sleep at least 8:00.

However, we do not advise you to rely so categorically on dry statistics. For example, 8:00 hours of sleep at 60 years old is radically different from the same 8:00 hours at another age. In addition, everyone is different, so everyone has different rest needs.

According to research conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, people between the ages of 26 and 64 should get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep. After 64 years of age, people usually do not need such a long rest.

Children should sleep between 9 and 11:00 every night. This is exactly how long it takes for growth hormones to activate.

Although each person has different needs, it is worth remembering that there is mandatory minimum, necessary for recuperation, and it is 6:00.

Remember that chronic lack of sleep does not give the body the opportunity to recover. As a result brain activity decreases and ceases to remove toxins from the body.

Let's take a closer look at the biological changes that occur in the body as a result of regular lack of sleep.

Lack of sleep changes gut flora

This fact may seem strange to you at first glance, but scientists from Uppsala University (Sweden) came to exactly this conclusion.

They conducted a study that showed that regular lack of sleep reduces the number of species intestinal bacteria in the intestines.

Please note that reducing the number of intestinal bacteria negatively affects metabolism. In addition, altered intestinal flora impairs the ability of others internal organs perform their functions, in particular:

  • increases the body's insulin resistance;
  • leads to a set of extra pounds;
  • weakens the immune system;
  • impairs the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food.

Insomnia can lead to diabetes

Be sure to note that chronic lack of sleep reduces the body's ability to metabolize glucose, which can result in diabetes.

This problem usually affects older people. However excess weight and insufficient sleep (

Lack of sleep worsens heart function

If you sleep 3:00 less than you need every day, you are putting your heart at risk. Imagine this situation: for three months you sleep no more than 4-5 hours a day.

You may think that this time is enough to recuperate, but your body will think differently.

Chronic lack of sleep contributes to high blood pressure. Insomnia slows down metabolism and leads to the development of insulin resistance. Lack of sleep often causes inflammatory processes in organism. As a result, the heart muscles lose elasticity and become more vulnerable to stressful situations.

Scientists have concluded that regular lack of sleep significantly reduces the ability of the heart to perform its functions as expected.

Insomnia negatively affects memory

If you've ever had to sleep less than usual, you probably know the detrimental effects that lack of sleep can have on the human body. In particular, lack of sleep reduces concentration, reaction and attention.

Chronic lack of sleep leads to significant memory impairment, and this is not surprising, because any chronic disease worsens a person’s quality of life.

According to studies, insomnia makes it more difficult to do usual activities such as maintaining a conversation, remembering new information and solving simple problems.

Excitement - insomnia, insomnia - excitement

Oh this vicious one vicious circle! Of course, stress and intense emotions have a strong impact on the quality of sleep, and if you are constantly stressed, the situation only gets worse.

Don't forget that the body and brain are closely interconnected. That is why regular lack of sleep leads to disruption of internal balance, which causes even more stress.

Never hesitate to ask for help in such a case. If you have sleep disorders, you should definitely consult a qualified specialist.

After all, “all the world’s problems can be solved with good sleep.”

How many hours of sleep does the average person need to truly rest? The number of hours ranges from 6 to 8 per day - this time should be quite enough for a person to be able to continue working without harm to his health. But if you are constantly lacking sleep, this is fraught with serious consequences, ranging from mild neurosis and the risk of extra centimeters at the waist, to more serious problems - heart disease and an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Unpleasant symptoms may appear after the first night of lack of sleep. What else can cause bad sleep? The Huffington Post decided to look into this in more detail.

Some brilliant people had practically no need for sleep, and they did not suffer without its absence. For example, Leonardo da Vinci only needed 1.5-2 hours of sleep a day, Nikola Tesla - 2-3 hours, Napoleon Bonaparte slept at intervals for a total of about 4 hours. You can consider yourself a genius as much as you like and believe that if you sleep 4 hours a day, you will have time to do much more, but your body may not agree with you, and after several days of torment it will begin to sabotage your work, whether you want it, or not.

Infographics

What happens to the body after one day of lack of sleep

You start to overeat. So, if you have had little or poor sleep at least one night, you will feel hungrier than after a standard sleep. Studies have shown that lack of sleep provokes appetite, as well as the choice of higher-calorie, high-carbohydrate, and not entirely healthy foods.

Attention deteriorates. Due to drowsiness, your alertness and reaction deteriorate, and this, in turn, can lead to accidents on the road or at work (if you work with your hands or are a doctor or driver, which is even worse). If you sleep 6 hours or less, your risk of road accidents increases threefold.

Appearance deteriorates. Bruises under the eyes after a bad sleep are not the best decoration. Sleep is not only good for your brain, but also for your appearance. A small study in the journal SLEEP published last year found that people who sleep less seem less attractive. And research conducted in Sweden also showed a link between rapid skin aging and lack of adequate sleep.

The risk of catching colds increases. Adequate sleep is one of the building blocks of the immune system. A study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University found that sleeping less than 7 hours a day increases your risk of getting sick by three times. Moreover, Mayo Clinic experts explain that during sleep, the body produces special proteins - cytokines. Some of them help support sound sleep, and some need to be increased to protect the body when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you are stressed. As a result of lack of sleep, the production of these protective cytokines decreases and you get sick longer.

You risk getting microdamage to the brain. A recent small study conducted with fifteen men and published in the same journal SLEEP showed that even after one night of sleep deprivation, the brain loses some of its tissue. This can be detected by measuring the levels of two molecules in the blood, which when elevated usually signal that the brain has been damaged.

Of course, this is just a small study conducted on fifteen men - not that big of a sample. But how can you be sure that this will not affect you?

You become more emotional. And not for the better. According to a 2007 study from Harvard and Berkeley medical schools, if you don't get enough sleep, the emotional areas of the brain become more than 60% reactive, meaning you become more emotional, irritable and explosive. The fact is that without enough sleep, our brain switches to more primitive forms of activity and is not able to properly manage emotions.

You may have problems with memory and concentration. In addition to problems with attention, there are problems with memory and concentration. It becomes difficult for you to concentrate on completing assigned tasks, and your memory also deteriorates, since sleep is involved in the process of memory consolidation. So, if you don't sleep enough, memorizing new material will become more and more difficult for you (depending on how bad your situation is).

What happens to your body if you don't sleep enough in the long term?

Let's say you have an exam or an urgent project and you just need to reduce your sleep to a minimum in order to get everything done. This is acceptable in short periods, just try not to drive and warn everyone in advance that you are very tired and may react a little inadequately, emotionally. After passing an exam or finishing a project, you will rest, get some sleep, and get back into shape again.

But if your job means that your standard sleep time of 7-8 hours has decreased to 4-5, you need to seriously think about changing either your approach to work or the work itself, since the consequences of a constant lack of sleep are much more sad. than simple nervousness or dark circles under the eyes. The longer you maintain this unhealthy regimen, the higher the price your body will pay for it.

The risk of stroke increases. Research published in the journal SLEEP in 2012 found that sleep deprivation (less than 6 hours of sleep) for older adults increases the risk of stroke by 4 times.

The risk of becoming obese increases. Simply overeating due to lack of sleep for a day or two is nothing compared to what can happen to you if constant lack of sleep becomes your default routine. As mentioned in the previous section, lack of sleep provokes an increase in appetite and, of course, leads to constant night snacking. All this together transforms into extra pounds.

The likelihood of developing certain types of cancer increases. Of course, it won't appear simply because you don't sleep enough. But poor sleep can trigger the appearance of precancerous lesions. Thus, as a result of a study conducted among 1240 participants (a colonoscopy was performed), those who slept less than 6 hours a day increased by 50% the risk of developing a colorectal adenoma, which over time can turn into a malignant formation.

The likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus increases. A 2013 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that getting too little (and too much!) sleep is associated with an increased risk of many chronic diseases, including diabetes. This is due to the fact that lack of sleep, on the one hand, leads to the risk of obesity, and on the other hand, insulin sensitivity decreases.

The risk of heart disease increases. Harvard Health Publications reports that chronic sleep deprivation is associated with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure and heart attack. Research conducted in 2011 at Warwick Medical School found that if you sleep less than 6 hours a night and sleep disturbances, you get a “bonus” in the form of a 48% increased chance of dying from heart disease and a 15% increased chance of dying from heart disease. stroke. Staying up late or into the morning for a long period is a ticking time bomb!

The number of sperm decreases. This point applies to those who still want to experience the happiness of fatherhood, but are putting it off for now because they are busy accumulating an inheritance. In 2013, a study was conducted in Denmark among 953 young men, during which it was found that men with sleep disorders had a sperm concentration in semen that was 29% lower than those who slept the standard 7-8 hours a day.

The risk of premature death increases. The study, which assessed 1,741 men and women over 10 to 14 years, found that men who slept less than 6 hours a night increased their chances of dying prematurely.

All this was data obtained during research. But, as we know, in our contradictory world, research data can be completely opposite. Today we can read that new magic pills will save us from all diseases, and tomorrow an article may appear stating that other studies have shown completely opposite results.

You may or may not believe in the long-term benefits of chronic sleep deprivation, but you can't deny the fact that if you don't get enough sleep, you become irritable and inattentive, have trouble remembering information, and even dread looking in the mirror. Therefore, let's spare ourselves and sleep at least 6 hours a day for ourselves, our loved ones, at least in the short term.

The modern rhythm of life spins many people into a whirlpool of events, affairs and worries. To maintain high competitiveness, a person is forced to work hard, constantly learn and improve. In addition, we try to devote time to children, elderly parents, and pets. We monitor the condition of the house by performing household chores such as washing, cooking, ironing and cleaning. In addition to all this, every day we have a whole bunch of worries, tasks and instructions that must be completed on time. In these hellish conditions, we try to do everything and take time away from sleep. It seems to us that if we don’t sleep for an hour or two, nothing bad will happen. However, chronic lack of sleep is very serious. And although its consequences do not appear immediately, the accumulation effect makes itself felt and within a couple of weeks the body will experience its first failure. Today we’ll talk about lack of sleep - how it manifests itself, why it occurs, what are its consequences and how to deal with it.

Symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation

Everyone knows the familiar formulation - a person should sleep 8 hours a day. But who made these rules? We are all individual and differ in the characteristics of our body. Some people get enough sleep in a much shorter period of time (surely you remember Napoleon’s four-hour sleep). Others need at least 9-10 hours to full recovery strength Children, sick people and pregnant women need more sleep. That is, each person knows how much sleep he needs. First, analyze your daily routine. How much sleep do you usually get if you have enough time? This number of hours is physiological norm. If you need 9 hours to recover, you will sleep that much and will not be able to sleep 10 hours, no matter how hard you try. Therefore, 8-hour nights can sooner or later lead to lack of sleep. How to recognize lack of sleep and distinguish it from, for example, endocrine diseases, because in both cases the symptoms are very similar? Let's try to understand the signs of lack of sleep.

  1. Constant desire to lie down and sleep. Moreover, from overwork you cannot fall asleep right away, even with mortal drowsiness.
  2. Absent-mindedness, loss of performance and concentration, inability to perform daily duties.
  3. Absence positive emotions, Have a good mood for a long time, apathy, irritability, nervousness.
  4. In some cases, when serious lack of sleep Hallucinations, clouding of consciousness, and deterioration in coordination of movements may appear.
  5. Chronic lack of sleep often leads to decreased immunity and, as a result, exacerbation of chronic diseases, frequent illnesses etc.
  6. Insufficient sleep slows down metabolic processes, which can lead to excess weight, even if your diet remains unchanged.
  7. Lack of sleep leads to decreased appetite.
  8. In some cases, swelling of the limbs and face may occur, dark circles under the eyes, the skin becomes pale.
  9. Constant lack of sleep leads to frequent dizziness and headaches.
  10. With an acute lack of sleep, gastrointestinal disorders may appear - constipation or diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain.

Chronic lack of sleep is not only the source of the above symptoms, but also completely changes our lives for the worse. We risk losing our jobs due to non-compliance job responsibilities, we take it out on our loved ones, we often get sick, we look bad, life seems sad and hateful. But why does this lack of sleep occur and is it always associated with constant employment?

  1. Most often we cut down on sleep due to... large quantity affairs and work. It’s important to understand that you won’t earn all the money, and between clean dishes and healthy, full sleep, sometimes it’s better to choose the latter.
  2. Another reason for lack of sleep is simple insomnia, when we cannot fall asleep on time and feel exhausted in the morning. Insomnia can be age-related or caused by other diseases.
  3. In some cases, sleep problems may be the result of neurological disorders. If you often wake up in the middle of the night for no reason and do not feel satisfied in the morning, this means that at night the brain does not turn off completely and is characterized by zones of increased excitability. Such neurological problems can be caused by stress, overwork, concussion, etc.
  4. Often we cannot fall asleep on time due to the fact that we overeat at night.
  5. It happens that due to various circumstances a person may confuse day with night. This can happen if you are forced to work at night. In this case, it is not possible to get a good night's sleep, either during the day or at night.
  6. Excitation nervous system can occur after drinking alcohol, black tea, cocoa, chocolate. You should avoid consuming these foods, especially before bed.
  7. Sometimes chronic sleep deprivation can be a consequence of a basic lack of conditions for long and continuous sleep. Neighbors' renovations, stuffy rooms, restless pets, small children, snoring husband - all this can be the reason for your lack of sleep.

If among the above reasons you find something that is preventing you from sleeping, you need to solve the problem. If you have small children, try to get enough sleep during the day with them, ask grandmothers for help, hire a nanny for half a day, in the end. Try to plan your rest and work so that you have time for proper sleep at least 8-9 hours a day. Otherwise, chronic lack of sleep can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Consequences of chronic lack of sleep

It would seem, what will happen if you don’t get enough sleep on time? Indeed, at first strong and healthy body will not feel anything and will not change his mode of operation. However, if lack of sleep lasts for a long time, day after day, if you do not replenish your “sleepy” reserves even on weekends, this can lead to serious consequences. First of all, your well-being and health suffer. You will feel overwhelmed, apathetic, and sad. Nothing will bring you joy. This is fraught with the development of depression.

Over time, a person begins to close down and become withdrawn. Nervousness and irritability lead to problems in relationships with others. Lack of sleep can cause conflicts with colleagues, friends, children, and loved ones. Efficiency also noticeably decreases - the person cannot concentrate on the main thing, is rude to clients, and is unable to work either physically or mentally.

Appearance also suffers greatly. With chronic lack of sleep, a person looks tired, clogged, and exhausted. Swollen eyelids, circles under the eyes, grey colour faces, fine wrinkles - all this cannot be avoided due to lack of sleep. Moreover, your health deteriorates, you begin to get sick often, and your chronic diseases. Lack of sleep can lead to diabetes, obesity, impotence and heart disease. If you do not want such consequences, you need to learn to rest correctly.

  1. To start, just get some sleep. Solve all your problems, leave the kids with grandma, put projects aside, turn off your phone and just get some sleep. Close the curtains to sunlight didn't wake you up. Sleep as much as you want. We can say that this is the first rehabilitation aid in the fight against chronic lack of sleep.
  2. Next, you should set a routine - go to bed and get up at the same time. Try to go to bed before midnight - this time is very important for the recovery of the body.
  3. In the afternoon, try not to eat fatty or heavy foods, especially at night. You should also give up energy drinks - coffee, tea, etc.
  4. Enlarge physical activity, move more to circulate blood throughout the body and get rid of insomnia.
  5. Two hours before bedtime, it is better not to watch TV, surf the Internet, or play on the computer. All this has a stimulating effect on the body.
  6. Good sex and orgasm will allow you to relax before bed - don't waste this opportunity.
  7. Before going to bed, it is better to take a walk in the park, do light exercises, take a relaxing bath with pine oils, light candles, and listen to soothing music.
  8. Be sure to ventilate the room before going to bed; the room should have cool air no higher than 25 degrees. Choose a comfortable orthopedic mattress and soft pillow. Bedding and pajamas should be soft, comfortable, and made of natural fabric.
  9. Before going to bed, remove ticking, flashing clocks from the room. electronic devices- everything that can irritate you.
  10. Pregnant women, women and the sick need and nap– remember this.
  11. Another necessary condition healthy and good sleep– this is emotional satisfaction and peace. Don't quarrel with anyone before going to bed, forgive everyone, don't decide important issues. Try to protect yourself from anxious thoughts.

And further. Use the bed only for sleeping. You don’t need to read in it, play with your child, or just lie there. And then it will be associated with sleep, and you will instantly fall asleep as soon as you lie down in a cozy bed.

Healthy sleep is very important for the human nervous system. A person can survive 2-3 months without food. Without water it will not live even 10 days. But without sleep, a person’s life will stop after 3-4 days. This speaks to the true value of sleep. Get enough sleep to maintain health and beauty for many years!

Video: lack of sleep - harm and consequences

Remember how we hated quiet time in kindergarten and how now, as adults, we dream of returning to that carefree time in order to sleep peacefully in our crib. And this makes sense, because people who have children and who are forced to wake up every morning for work often suffer from lack of sleep.
In fact, lack of sleep is a serious thing that can lead to very unpleasant consequences if not corrected in time. Below you will find 15 consequences of lack of sleep that will make you go to bed earlier.
Change your appearance
Sounds terrible, doesn't it? However, scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm have confirmed through research that a lack of sugar has a negative effect on appearance. It could be pale skin, drooping corners of the mouth, swollen eyelids and other signs of deterioration in appearance. The study involved ten people who stayed awake for 31 hours. Their photographs were then carefully examined by 40 observers. The conclusion was unanimous: all participants looked unhealthy, unhappy and tired after such a long period of insomnia.
Drunk


You won't be literally drunk if you don't get enough sleep. It was found that 17 hours of continuous wakefulness corresponds to the behavior pattern of a person whose blood contains 0.05% alcohol. Simply put, drowsiness can be similar to alcohol intoxication and lead to decreased concentration, poor thinking, and slower reactions.
Loss of creativity

Let's say you planned to create a grandiose Internet project like Facebook or VKontakte, but at the same time you are chronically lacking sleep. Scientists say that in this case you have little chance. The basis was research conducted on military personnel. They did not sleep for two days, after which people's ability to think creatively and come up with something new significantly decreased. The study was published by the British Journal of Psychology in 1987.
Promotion blood pressure


There is growing evidence that sleep deprivation leads to a significant increase in blood pressure, and, consequently, to a deterioration in well-being. Moreover, in hypertensive patients, non-compliance with sleep norms can provoke sudden jump pressure.
Decreased intellectual abilities


Not only does a lack of sleep reduce intellectual abilities, but in addition there is also a deterioration in memory, which can negatively affect the quality of life in general and the professional activity in particular.
Increased risk of disease


During sleep the immune system produces cytokine proteins, which then “fight” with various types viruses. The number of cytokine proteins increases when your body needs protection from bacteria. By depriving ourselves of sleep, we become more prone to illness and virus attacks, because the level of cytokines drops.
Premature aging


You can spend a lot of money on magical cosmetic products and procedures to slow down the aging process of the body, but this will not help if you are deprived of normal sleep. The stress a person experiences due to lack of sleep increases the production of a hormone called cortisol. This hormone increases sebum secretion and promotes skin aging. This is why sleep plays a key role in the skin regeneration process. While you sleep, cortisol levels return to normal and give cells time to regenerate. According to a study of women aged 30 to 49 who did not get enough sleep, skin tissue They age twice as fast, wrinkles and other pathologies appear.
Excess weight


A person without good sleep, is prone to obesity, which has been confirmed by numerous studies. These tests showed that people who sleep less than four hours a day have a 73% chance of becoming obese. And hormones are to blame again. Hunger in our brain is controlled by ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin sends a signal to the brain when the body requires reinforcement. Leptin, on the contrary, produced in adipose tissue, reduces appetite and causes a feeling of fullness. When you are tired, the level of ghrelin in the blood increases, and the level of leptin decreases.
Freezing


Sleep deprivation slows down your metabolism (metabolism), which in turn lowers your body temperature. As a result, the person quickly freezes.
Mental disorders


According to statistics, patients with sleep disorders are four times more likely to develop wide range mental disorders than in people who have normal rest. If a period of insomnia lasts long enough, it can even lead to thoughts of suicide.
Bone damage


The theory of bone damage due to lack of sleep has not yet been fully proven. But experiments on rats confirmed this disease. Scientists in 2012 discovered changes in mineral density bone tissue And bone marrow in these little creatures after being kept awake for 72 hours. The suggestion that lack of sleep can cause harm skeletal system, may make sense not only in relation to rats, but also to people.
Clumsiness


According to the doctor medical sciences According to Stanford University director Clete Kushida, lack of sleep undermines our perception of reality and also dulls our reflexes. In other words, the person becomes clumsy.
Emotional instability


If you don’t want to become emotionally unstable, then it’s better to get a good night’s sleep. This was confirmed by a study conducted on 26 people who had chronic lack of sleep increased feelings of fear and anxiety were recorded.
Decreased life expectancy


Numerous studies show that even occasional sleep deprivation causes an increase in mortality because it causes irreversible processes. If you add to the lack of adequate sleep the influence of such ailments as obesity, alcohol and depression, the result will be disastrous. A 2010 study found that people who slept less than six hours a night were four times more likely to die over the next 14 years.

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