What Sleep Deprivation Can Do to Your Body

By Guest Blogger Diana S.

What Sleep Deprivation Can Do to Your Body

 

Pixabay.com
Pixabay.com

We all know how difficult it is to go through a day when we’re sleepy, but can you imagine going without a good night’s sleep for days, weeks, or even months? Having a rough night and waking up groggy and dizzy is bad enough, but going through that day after day is worrying. Bleary eyes and gaping yawns aside, your body suffers immensely if you don’t get enough sleep. Here are just some of the things which sleep deprivation can result in.

You’ll put on weight

Sleep is important for your body and mind alike: your muscles relax and your brain gets some much-needed rest and energy. If you’re not sleeping enough, your brains starts craving more energy, and if it can’t get it from sleep it’ll start craving more food. This means that you will be eating much more than you used to because your body will start producing more ghrelin – so called ‘the hunger hormone’ which makes you crave sugary and fatty foods. If you notice you started craving more such foods than you usually do, you could try swapping some of those unhealthy treats for healthy ones: fresh fruit dipped in melted dark chocolate or raw honey. Not only is this healthier, but you’ll feel energized.

Your immune system weakens

As your body’s resting overnight it allows your immune system to produce antibodies and cells which help you fight off all sorts of bacteria and viruses. In addition, these protective substances also help you sleep better, so a weaker immune system can be both the cause and the result of bad sleep. Long-term sleep deprivation increases your chances of developing a serious chronic disease like diabetes. If you feel like your immune system is weaker than it used to be, you should try boosting it up with some natural remedies. Drink plenty of green tea with lemon, use less sugar in your coffee, and drink freshly squeezed juices instead of sodas.

You have trouble with your memory

Pixabay.com
Pixabay.com

Do you have trouble remembering where you’ve put your car keys and the keys to your place? Do you keep forgetting your phone in your car or bathroom? Can you remember the name of the movie you saw last week? If you notice that you’re having trouble remembering things, you don’t have to panic just yet – sleep deprivation can sometimes mess with your memory and make you more forgetful. When you’re tired, you stop paying attention to details and little things, while when you sleep your brains ‘clears’ your central nervous system. Perhaps it’s your surrounding that troubles you: try changing the position of your bed in your bedroom or buy a new bed altogether. You can easily shop online for a mattress that is perfect for you, so you’ll finally be able to relax.

You’re snappy and impulsive

When you’re exhausted, you don’t have time to stop and think too long about your actions, which leads to making impulsive moves and sometimes being snappy towards other people. You feel like that extra doughnut isn’t such a bad idea after all, and when a coworker asks for an advice or needs help, you are less likely to be patient with them. It’s not just coworkers who will get a taste of your new bad temper – you can act like that at home, with family, spouse, and friends. Try to meditate every day at least for ten minutes, it will calm you down and help you relax.

If you notice that you’re not sleeping well for a long time, you should visit your doctor. Pills can be helpful in putting you to sleep, but there may be some other reason why you’re exhausted all the time. Talk to your doctor and try to understand what is going on with your body, and do your best to find a way to relax every night before going to bed. This way, you will be able to get back into your routine soon enough.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram