Why A Lack of Sleep is Hazardous
As much as we’d like to think that we are in control, especially when it comes to sleeping and waking up, research has shown that we are wrong’ Whether we are a night owl or a morning person, who wakes up at the crack of dawn, it’s quite possible that our habits are hardwired into our genes. So, it you choose not to sleep at the time deemed appropriate by your body, here’s what your body will undergo, overtime.
Effects Of Lack Of Sleep
Normal Hormone Functioning Will Be Affected
Normally your body produces over 50 different hormones daily. Disturbed or lack of sleep will disrupt the normal production of these hormones. For example, the human growth hormone that aids in growth and cell repair peaks during sleep. And the lack of sleep will disrupt this production, thus affecting your body’s natural ability to grow and repair the cells. Additionally, other hormones that control your metabolism and hunger will also get affected, forcing your body to seek more food as a means to increase energy levels in your body.
Poor and restricted sleep could lead to the development of specific illnesses and diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension and even certain types of cancers
Instability In The Levels Of Energy And Mood Swings
Sustained lack of sleep has been known to lead to reduced energy levels, which further results in unstable moods, excessive sleepiness during the day and bursts of euphoria.
While shifting attitudes can disrupt the normal functioning of your daily activities, excessive sleepiness during the day especially, can be hindering and even dangerous. This can lead to frequent lapses in focus, forcing your body to seek reprieve at any time, These incidences are known as ‘microsleeps’ which are also known to be a contributing factor to traffic accidents, as drowsy drivers tend to fall asleep at the wheel.
Long-Term Illnesses Diseases And Cancer
Your body may recover from not sleeping quickly, but if continued, over a period of time, the negative long-term consequences for your health would have already set in. For instance, your immune system would be the worst hit and unable to defend the body effectively. Poor and restricted sleep would lead to the development of specific illnesses and diseases. These notably relate to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension and even certain types of cancers.
Health Tip
It is crucial to get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, because even though you may manage to function on an Irregular sleep schedule, in reality, your body will be most affected. Therefore, good sleep on a regular basis will not only benefit you, but will also protect you.