I am noticing, more now than ever, people complaining that they aren’t sleeping. So many people aren’t able to get to sleep or sleep through the night and many of them have been plagued with lack of sleep for months. I wonder if it is a sign of the times; the rough economy, people losing their jobs and the fear of losing their homes. We seem to be steeped with worry these days but it is costing us our sleep and in-turn our health.
You know that lack of sleep can make you feel grumpy and foggy but you may not realize what it can do to your sex life, memory, health, looks, and even ability to lose weight.
Lack of sleep disrupts every physiologic function in the body and affects our immune system and even makes us more prone to catching colds and the flu. Getting adequate sleep can help keep our immune systems primed for attack.
Increased risk for disease starts to kick in when people get less than six or seven hours of sleep per night. According to some estimates, 90% of people that have trouble falling and staying asleep also have a health condition. A 2007 study showed that those who had cut their sleep to five hours (or fewer) a night nearly doubled their risk of death from all causes, in particular cardiovascular disease. Another study stated that people who sleep less than four hours per night are three times more likely to die within the next six years.
Not getting enough sleep has been linked to a laundry list of mental and physical health problems, including those that stem from an impaired immune system. Sleep disorders and chronic sleep loss can put you at risk for:
• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Irregular heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Diabetes
Lack of sleep also impairs attention, ability to make sound judgments, alertness, concentration, learning, creative thinking, reasoning, and problem solving. A person who has not gotten adequate sleep may show signs of slurred speech, stuttering, speaking in a monotone voice, or speaking at a slower pace than usual, much like someone who is intoxicated.
REM sleep stimulates areas of the brain used for learning and memory. If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be able to remember what you learned and experienced during the day.
Also, people who don’t get enough sleep can feel stressed, angry, sad, and mentally exhausted. Over time, lack of sleep can contribute to the symptoms of depression. Insomnia and depression feed on each other: Sleep loss often aggravates the symptoms of depression, and depression can make it more difficult to fall asleep.
More bad news: Sleep specialists say that sleep-deprived men and women report lower libidos and less interest in sex. Now, that’s a bummer! Ready to sleep better? Click here.
Our appearance suffers as well and some will experience sallow skin and puffy eyes after a few nights of missed sleep. Chronic sleep loss can lead to lackluster skin, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases more of the stress hormone Cortisol. In excess amounts, Cortisol can break down skin collagen, (the protein that keeps skin smooth and elastic) as well as giving you a big belly!
Lack of sleep seems to be related to an increase in hunger and appetite, and possibly to obesity. One reason is that when you don’t sleep enough, the body’s ability to metabolize sugar declines, resulting in sugars being turned into fat. According to a 2004 study, people who sleep less than six hours a day were almost 30 percent more likely to become obese than those who slept seven to nine hours. In addition, studies show sleep-deprived people tend to develop problems regulating their blood sugar, which may put them at increased risk for diabetes.
The Safety Administration estimates that fatigue is the main cause of 100,000 auto crashes and 1,500 crash-related deaths a year, in the United States alone, because lack of sleep severely affects your reaction time . Studies show that sleep loss and poor-quality sleep also lead to accidents and injuries on the job. You may be surprised to hear that the massive Exxon Valdez oil spill, as well as the 1986 nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl (and many other newsworthy accidents) blame lack of sleep for the causes.
As the body gets older we need to get more and more rest. Sleep is extremely important to maintain both physical and mental health as well as our appearance. It’s time to quiet your mind, calm your nerves and change your sleep habits!
It is possible to get a great night’s rest no matter what is going on in your life or what medications you are taking. To read up on my ‘Allow Sleep’ Self-Hypnosis Program, click here.
Cheers to a great night’s sleep!
Warmly,
Bettina
www.allowsleep.com