Time for a bit of a serious post on a topic which lots of you, including my fellow mummy readers can relate to.

In today’s modern world, so many of us are constantly rushing around, struggling to get everything done in a 24-hour period. As a result, we don’t get as much sleep as we’re supposed to get, and we’re suffering for it. It might not seem it at first glance, but sleep deprivation can be very dangerous to your health. It will affect you in all sorts of ways; many of which you wouldn’t anticipate.

Central Nervous System

As you can probably guess, your central nervous system is fuelled by rest and sleep. It needs to be in top working order at all times in order to carry out its crucial functions. A lack of sufficient rest can lead to all sorts of issues stemming from the central nervous system. This can include heightened emotions, an inability to concentrate and more. In the most dangerous instances, you could even suffer from hallucinations and micro sleep.

That latter one is particularly scary for those who might be carrying out dangerous tasks.

Death Risk

Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of death. Medical issues including diabetes and heart problems have been suggested to cause this, among other things. It is recommended by some doctors that you get at least six hours of sleep every night. Failing to adhere to this could put you at risk of a variety of medical conditions.

Brain Deterioration

There’s a strangely-named part of your brain called the hippocampus, and that’s what we’re focusing on here. This is where your memories are formed and stored, and it is believed that memory loss can be a cause of sleep deprivation. The same area of the brain can also be harmed by halting the production of new neurons. Deprivation can also increase the levels of a stress hormone called Corticosterone. This results in fewer brain cells developing in your hippocampus.

Insomnia

Sleep deprivation is an effect often caused by insomnia. This relates to an inability to sleep, whether it’s struggling to fall asleep or waking up constantly. This is a condition that needs to be treated by a doctor in the first instance. If you’re suffering from mild insomnia, there are a few things you can do, though. Firstly, you need to invest in a good bed, with comfortable tempur mattresses or a suitable alternative. Refrain from looking at your phone or watching TV directly before bed, too. This is an important first step towards kicking insomnia to the kerb.

Obesity

There are some studies out there that have linked obesity to sleep deprivation, too. The reason for this is that sleep deprivation affects a number of hormones, subsequently encouraging you to eat. Insulin is also released in greater amounts after you eat, which can lead to a greater chance of you developing diabetes. Even if you’ve already eaten recently, sleep deprivation will likely make you feel like you’ve barely consumed a thing.

Premature Aging

This one’s more of an obvious worry than some of the other issues we’ve mentioned today. We all know how we look when we suffer from a lack of sleep. We get bags around our eyes, and we don’t look as fresh-faced as we usually do. Remaining in a sleep-deprived state for too long can easily lead to premature ageing. It can also lead to other skin issues, including reduced skin health and less of an ability to recover after sun exposure. You can try and cover it up with as many skin products as you want, but you need your beauty sleep first and foremost.

Failure To Concentrate

Even if the tips we’ve mentioned today don’t bother you all that much, this one should. It makes no sense that workaholics fail to get any sleep because their ability to concentrate will be diminished! All this leads to a reduced quality of work and an inability to think clearly. While this can be a nuisance for those sitting in an office, it’s much worse for the manual workers out there. They could be working with dangerous equipment or spending time on the road. One lapse of concentration could lead to a devastating accident. Sleep isn’t something to be taken for granted; we need it in order to carry out daily tasks.

You might have known about some of these potential issues, but it’s always good to refresh your mind. Sleep deprivation should be taken very seriously, and needs to be addressed if it’s a problem in your own life. If you don’t feel you have control over it, medical assistance should be sought.

*Collaborative Post