Despite it being one of the most important gifts that you can give your body, sleep is often the first thing that is sacrificed when life gets busy. You may think that you are saving on time if you skip that extra hour of shut-eye, but you are actually hurting your physical and mental health more than you realize. Here are three ways that a lack of sleep affects you throughout your day.
Performance
Not getting enough sleep each night can have a detrimental impact on your overall cognitive functioning. If you are not as sharp mentally, your work performance may suffer. If you have to drive, a compromised mental state will also put you in dangerous situations. According to Boohoff Law, drowsy driving is a risky driving behavior that can make accidents more likely. Making a commitment to getting at least eight hours of sleep each night will help you to be more productive and efficient as you move through your daily responsibilities.
Mood
It is not difficult to figure out how sleep affects your mood. According to Better Health, even one sleepless night can leave you feeling irritable and grumpy. A sleepless night every now and then will not have long-term effects. However, there is a serious mental and emotional strain put on people who are not sleeping well on a regular basis. Chronic sleep debt can lead to myriad issues, including depression and anxiety. If getting a good night’s sleep becomes a problem, it is important to analyze the situation, isolate the root of the issue and take steps to correct it.
Immune System
Sleep is also a crucial factor contributing to the health of your immune system, according to Sleep Health Solutions. If you do not regularly get enough sleep, you are putting your body at risk of becoming sick because it is not equipped to fend off germs. When you are ill, your body needs even more rest in order to recover. This creates a dangerous cycle that could significantly compromise your overall health. In addition, long-term sleep deprivation has also been shown to contribute to more serious diseases as you age.
The cost of all those sleepless nights begins to add up over time, making it imperative that you address the problem. Convincing yourself to go to bed earlier, engaging in restful activities just prior to bedtime and trying to catch up on sleep on the weekends are all ways that you can add to your bank account of weekly sleep.
Here’s another article you might like: Simple Relaxation Techniques and Methods That Help Alleviate Stress
