What Are The Health Risks From A Lack of Sleep?

Getting enough sleep is important for our physical and mental health. When we consistently fail to get the recommended amount of sleep, we put ourselves at risk for a variety of health problems. Here are some of the health risks associated with a lack of sleep:

• 1. Increased risk of accidents: Drowsiness and fatigue can impair our ability to make decisions and react quickly, putting us at risk for accidents. This is particularly true for people who operate heavy machinery, drive a vehicle, or work in hazardous environments.
• 2. Impaired cognitive function: Lack of sleep can impair our ability to think clearly, remember things, and concentrate. This can affect our job performance, academic success, and overall quality of life.
• 3. Weakened immune system: Sleep plays an important role in our body’s immune system. When we don’t get enough sleep, our immune system can become weakened, making us more susceptible to illness and infection.
• 4. Increased risk of chronic diseases: A lack of sleep has been linked to a number of chronic health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
• 5. Mood disorders: Lack of sleep can contribute to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It can also make it harder to cope with stress and other emotional challenges.
• 6. Hormonal imbalances: Sleep plays a role in regulating our hormones, including those that control appetite, metabolism, and stress. When we don’t get enough sleep, our hormones can become imbalanced, leading to weight gain, increased stress, and other health problems.
• 7. Decreased sex drive: Lack of sleep can affect our sex drive and performance. This is due in part to the hormonal imbalances that can result from poor sleep.

Overall, it’s important to prioritise getting enough sleep each night to reduce our risk for these health problems. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night – however, required sleep hours may vary for each person. If you’re consistently having trouble getting enough sleep, talk to a natural or alternative health care provider as they may be able to identify any underlying health issues or recommend strategies to improve your sleep.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sleep and Chronic Disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/chronic_disease.html.
2. Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). Sleep and Disease Risk. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/sleep-and-disease-risk.
3. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Why Is Sleep Important? Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-deprivation-and-deficiency.
4. National Sleep Foundation. (2021). How Much Sleep Do We Really Need? Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need.
5. Sleep Education. (2021). The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Body. Retrieved from https://www.sleepeducation.org/healthysleep/the-effects-of-sleep-deprivation.

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