Sleep deprivation is at epidemic proportions in today’s society and the effects are very apparent. The cause may be a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, odd work hours or lack of time to devote to sleep. Stress, worry or purposely skipping sleep may also be to blame. Whatever the reason, many of us are clearly missing out on the sleep we need to function properly.
We all have the occasional sleepless night. Perhaps we think it’s not a big deal, but even the loss of a few hours sleep has consequences. Consider a 2001 poll taken by the National Sleep Foundation. They found that 63% of American adults do not get the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night. Sleepy drivers account for 100,000 automobile accidents a year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sleep deprivation leads not only to automobile accidents, but work related and other personal injury accidents.
Research has shown that the loss of just 1 1/2 to 2 hours of sleep a night causes a marked decline in alertness, attention span and the ability to process information. This seemly small amount of sleep deprivation affects our reflexes and memory. It can also lead to depression. Our decisions can become irrational. The greater the amount and duration of the sleep deprivation the more devastating can be the results.
If trying to function for a short time on a loss of sleep can cause so many problems, what happens if sleep deprivation becomes a habit?
We, first, must realize that sleeping is a time for our bodies to recharge and heal. If we don’t sleep deeply and for long enough, our body does not have the resources it needs to fight disease and stress.
Most of us know someone who brags that they’re able to get by on a couple of hours of sleep a night. Perhaps they can “get by” but the quality and maybe even length of a healthy life may be irreversibly compromised. Many health issues are exacerbated by chronic sleep loss. ADHD may develop. Cardiovascular disease is a major issue. This includes a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure. Chronic lack of sleep can cause psychological problems as well. Some studies are suggesting that sleep disturbances or sleep disorders may be a factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive disorders in later years. It’s very apparent that quality of life suffers if we, constantly, deprive ourselves of the amount of sleep time we realistically need.
Research has found another surprising result. Sleep deprivation promotes obesity. Lack of sleep can lead to hormonal changes that increase appetite and therefore calories. This, of course, can lead to weight gain.
It isn’t only our own quality of life that suffers. Our sleep deprivation affects those around us. They experience the bad moods and health problems with us. Maybe our disturbed sleep is even depriving them of their needed sleep.
If your quality of life is suffering now, perhaps you’ll want to take a good, hard look at your sleep habits. A doctor’s evaluation may even be in order. Maybe you’re experiencing a sleep disorder that can be corrected. It’s time to allow yourself the life improving, life saving sleep that you need.
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