Sleep is a very important factor in our daily lives. Lack of sleep can take a toll on well-being and a lot of things can go wrong when you don’t get good sleep! Chronic sleep deprivation can drastically affect your performance because it impacts your brain’s ability to function.
Lack of sleep may cause:
Parts of your brain can slow down
Brain function could be impaired and this negatively affects cognition, concentration, productivity and performance due to reduced blood flow to areas of the brain that control higher level thought process. A study found that the effect is similar to alcohol intoxication. Everything around you would seem to be in slow motion.
Poor athletic performance and recovery
Athletes undergo intense physical activity and multiple mechanisms of action. Tired athletes show weak coordination, low levels of energy and this could lead to a greater risk for injury.
Dangerous Accidents while driving
Drowsy driving is very dangerous and is known to be the major cause of road fatalities. Test how tired you are before you get behind the wheel!
Serious health problems
Less sleep can make your immune system weak and also prone to serious medical conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke. It can also cause the release of insulin, which leads to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Mental health issues
Poor sleeping habits are strongly linked to mental health problems. It may cause or worsen anxiety, depression, paranoia, and hallucinations.
How much sleep do we need?
Every individual has different sleep requirements and varies with age, however, it’s also highly recommended to follow the sleep duration guide:
- Above 65 years: 7″“8 hours
- 18″“64 years: 7″“9 hours
- 4″“17 years: 8″“10 hours
- 6″“13 years: 9″“11 hours
- 3″“5 years: 10″“13 hours
- 1″“2 years: 11″“14 hours
- 4″“11 months: 12″“15 hours
- 0″“3 months: 14″“17 hours
You will feel a million times better when you get enough sleep so if your goal is to have a healthier and more active life, it’s now time to pay serious attention to the improvement of your sleeping habits.
“Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.” -Thomas Dekker
“Sleep is the best meditation.” -Dalai Lama
