Sleep deprivation is a general term that is used to describe a condition wherein an individual does not get sufficient sleep and rest during the night-time. It can have detrimental consequences on their physical as well as mental health. If you are one among such individuals that experience difficulties sleeping at night, then you must become aware of its repercussions. Your quality of life majorly suffers owing to the impacts on your sleep cycle or circadian rhythm. The effects of it can be seen in an individual’s behavior. They tend to feel too tired, fatigued, and sluggish, and as a result, their work life and personal life goes out of balance.
By recognizing the damaging impacts of sleep deprivation and acting towards improving the condition, you will be able to attain equilibrium – physically and mentally. Intrigued? Here are the 5 worst things that can happen when you are sleep deficient:
You cannot think straight
Lack of adequate sleep can impair your brain functions. Your cognitive abilities may start becoming poor, which can majorly contribute to memory problems, a decline in attention span, and a lack of concentration. This happens because, when you sleep, your brain strengthens your memory by storing and consolidating everything that you have learned throughout the day. But sleeplessness does not allow the brain to work on the memory function for storing necessary information, which is why you may experience weak memory. Your decision-making skills might suffer, and you will feel confused most of the time. Thus, poor sleeping habits can lead to cognitive impairment which can affect your work-life balance.
You are at risk of serious health issues
Your disruptive sleep patterns can cause a buildup of distress which can cause mental imbalances. You may feel anxious and irritable throughout the day. This happens, as your body fails to carry out the process of detoxification and healing in the night, which leaves you feeling awful the following day. While you are fast asleep, your body produces proteins that are essential for the formation of new cells that aid in the healing process. But lack of sleep affects the process of healing and recovering and as a result, your immune system and health or body organs degrade.
You tend to behave erratically which can damage your social life
Not getting enough sleep can affect one’s ability to think in practical terms. It can cause sudden mood changes leading to cranky behavior. This kind of demeanor can hurt social interactions, as people will not feel welcomed and well-received by such an individual. People tend to repel away, and the already existing connections might suffer as a result. Thus, sleep deprivation can have a major impact on social life which shall cause a huge loss, especially profession-wise.
You might experience a distressed sex life
Changes in your sleep patterns can change your body’s entire mechanism. Sleepless nights leave you feeling fatigued the next day. Such individuals may find it difficult to get in the mood to share an intimate experience with their partner. This extreme feeling of lack of energy and vigor leads to a loss of interest in sex.
Physiological Effects
The physiological effects of lack of enough rest can also include loss of libido or sex drive, which happens because of hormonal imbalances. These hormonal fluctuations majorly interfere with your brain activities and affect the function of your brain that regulates arousal and desire.
Besides, some individuals may even experience problems with erection function. This condition is termed Erectile dysfunction (ED), which is a cause of insufficient blood flow to the penile. There indeed exists a remedy against such impotence issues, like ED medicines. Filagra is one such medicine that can eliminate these erection difficulties by increasing abundant blood to the penile.
Your risk of getting Alzheimer’s is quite high
When you sleep, your brain begins the process of removing certain chemicals that are harmful to your mental health. These chemicals are nothing but proteins that get accumulated in your brain cells. These proteins can clog the brain cells and their function due to plaque formation, which potentiates the risk of Alzheimer’s at later stages of life. Along with Alzheimer’s, there is also an increased possibility of several other types of dementia. Therefore, for preventing this mental illness, one needs to have proper sleep.
Lack of slumber drains your mental abilities and potentiates the risk of chronic health issues. Sleepless nights can be a result of various factors like daytime naps, caffeine intake before bedtime, heavy meals during dinner time, or it could be a side effect of some drugs.
Some medications can deprive you of sound sleep. They might cause you to experience fragmented sleep and poor sleep. In such a case, you can inform your doctor about the side effects that you are experiencing. They may change the medicine or suggest you some remedial solution. It can help improve the quality of your sleep.
Final Word
For cultivating a healthy sleep-wake cycle, one needs to become aware of the detrimental effects of not sleeping well. Individuals who do not get adequate sleep are susceptible to physical and mental health issues. It can be damaging as it increases dullness and depression, which gradually impacts your welfare. Therefore, it is necessary to take immediate action in improving your sleep cycle and encourage yourself to stick to the sleep pattern no matter what.
