None of us is a stranger to the benefits of a restful, good night’s sleep and less or fitful sleeping. You wake up feeling rested and fresh rather than irritable and tired.

 

But persistent poor sleep patterns can lead to devastating effects and serious health problems you may not be aware of.

 

Do you know an ongoing poor sleep pattern has been found to be closely associated with diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, obesity, depression and anxiety, memory loss, poor immunity, lower fertility rates and mental health disorders?

Hypertension, Heart Attack and Stroke

During sleep, our bodies regulate hormones associated with stress and a lack of sleep can compound the effects of stress on the body. Poor sleep has been linked to an elevated risk of hypertension, increased heart rate and inflammation. Together, this increases the strain on your heart, leading to serious, even fatal, cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and stroke.

Overweight and Obesity

Not getting enough restful sleep can cause rapid weight gain. Lack of sleep can increase cortisol, the stress hormone, in blood. This is likely to cause more stress and anxiety, triggering emotional eating. The hormone ghrelin is also known to be associated with long-term sleep deprivation and an excess of ghrelin can make you feel hungrier, as a result of which, you may end up eating more.

 

Poor sleep not only affects your eating habits, but also your metabolism. Reduced exercise due to feeling tired, combined with an increase in food intake and poor food choices is the direct shortcut to weight gain and obesity.

Diabetes

Lack of sleep impactshow the body processes glucose – the fuel for your body – and the amount of insulin required to process it. This is why poor sleep patterns are closely associated with type 2 diabetes.

Poor Brain Function and Memory Loss

Lack of rest is widely known to cause mental fatigue, irritability and a lack of focus. When this continues over a long period of time, brain function can get affected drastically. Less than adequate sleep not only prevents you from properly concentrating, it also impacts your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Physically, it can lead to problems with balanceand motor skills, making it more likely for you to injure yourself.

 

Since brain processes your daily information intake during sleep, a lack of proper, restful sleep impacts memory recall.

Poor Immunity

Like all other body functions, optimal immune system functioning requires adequate sleep. Lack of sleep for a long period triggers a stress reaction, reducing your antibody response. As a result, your body becomes more vulnerable to infections and disease.

Reduced Fertility

Sleep disorders negatively impact fertility, in both men and women. The part of your brain that regulates circadian rhythms also regulates prolonged poor sleep patterns can lead to reduced levels of testosterone in men and ovulation-related hormones in women, both of which can lead to poor fertility.

Mental Health Disorders

You have probably experienced irritability when you couldn’t get a good night’s sleep. But did you know that a common hormone – melatonin – regulates your sleep cycle as well as your mood?

 

Long-term sleep deprivation is associated with clinical depression, anxiety and a lower tolerance for even mild daily stressors. In some cases, those suffering from prolonged sleep experience hallucinations and paranoia.

How much sleep is good for me?

Most adult’s needat least 6-8 hours of restful, sound sleep every night, but children and teens require even more.

Worried about how your sleep pattern is affecting your health?

If you want to improve your sleep, learn about how to develop a healthy sleep routine. If that does not help, seek a professional’s help. At Sleep Solution Hub, Dr. George Akinkuoye brings together the science of sleep medicine and wellness to help you fulfill your sleep needs and overcome sleep disorders. With his Positive Mental Health Relaxation Series, you can experience the profound effect of music on your body and mind to relax, reduce stress and sleep well. 

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