If you have been losing sleep over late night parties and binging shows on Netflix, then it is taking a toll on your health, dear homie. Sleep deprivation has serious consequences on your health. Some people have troubles getting sleep while some just ruin their REM cycle with their toxic lifestyle. Not only can it make you grumpy but also gain weight. Then, there is the danger of chronic diseases like cancer. Here is what happens to your body when you don’t get a solid sleep at night.
What happens if you don’t sleep?
If you have been lately experiencing lack of sleep or have not had a good night’s sleep in ages, here is how it is impacting your body:
1. Your immune system becomes weak
In general, you fall sick more often when you are sleep deprived. Your immune system becomes weak and your body loses its ability to fight off illness and diseases. Even researchers have found a reciprocal relationship between strength of immune system and lack of sleep.
2. You become more vulnerable to cancer
Sleep deprivation puts you at a higher risk of cancer. People who sleep for less than 7 hours have low mortality rates and are prone to breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. Those who work overnight shifts take the brunt of lack of sleep.
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3. You lose the ability to think
When you miss a good night’s sleep, it impact your cognitive abilities in major ways. Your brain functions like memory, decision-making, reasoning, and problem-solving skills are worsely affected. On top of that, you become more forgetful. Researchers have learned that sleep has an impact on learning and memory. Our brain needs rest to lock and consolidate things we learn throughout the day.
4. Your sex drive decreases
Yes, your libido diminishes when you don’t get enough sleep. According to a study, men who had less than 5 hours of sleep observed a decrease in sex hormones by as much as 15 percent. In fact, their mood and vigor were also affected due to lack of sleep. This should worry you.
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5. You gain more weight
Have you hit the scales lately? Sleep deprivation may be causing you to gain weight. Obesity or weight gain are unwanted outcomes of sleep deprivation. Those who sleep less than 5 hours a day will have difficulty losing weight no matter how much they exercise or diet.
6. Your skin suffers
There is a reason it is called ‘beauty sleep’ because it makes your skin glow. When you don’t, that’s when the breakout of pimples and blemishes happens. Not getting enough sleep also expedites the aging process as wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear.
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How to deal with sleep deprivation
1. Meditate
If you feel nervous or anxious when you hit the bed, you may want to mediate before you go to sleep. It will calm the nerves in your mind and relieve you of all the negative thoughts.
2. Avoid phones
Don’t use phone or any other electronic device before you go to sleep. The light from these devices hampers with your sleep by restraining the production of melatonin that controls your circadian rythm. It is not good for your eyes either
3. Avoid caffeine
There is a possibility that the reason why you are not able to get much sleep is because you are high on caffeine. So, you might want to cut back on your caffeine dose.
4. Don’t take too many naps
Taking naps at inappropriate times is what makes it difficult for you to fall asleep at night. It totally disarrays your sleep schedule. So, you better save your sleep for the night.
5. Exercise
Exercise makes you tired which will make you want to hit the bed like a plop and fall asleep immediately. Just make sure you don’t exercise within three hours before your bedtime.
If you still aren’t able to fall asleep, you should consider seeing a doctor to help you out with your sleeping problems.
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