15 SURPRISING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LACK OF SLEEP
You probably already know that not getting enough sleep isn’t great for your health. But what exactly are the risks of not allowing your body the time it needs to fully recharge? Here's what's happening.
You jeopardize the health of your brain
One of the most important things you can do to keep a healthy brain is to get enough rest—every single night! Based on the results of a study of Uppsala University, sleeping for less than eight hours a night may promote the loss of brain tissue by triggering neurodegenerative processes. More troubling still, the researchers observed that just one night of poor sleep can be harmful to the brain.
You increase your risk of contracting the flu (and other viruses)
Can’t figure out why you always fall victim to the winter flu? The problem could be as simple as a lack of sleep. One study has shown that people who get less than six hours of sleep per night are nearly four times as likely to catch a cold as those who get at least seven hours. Lack of sleep appears to weaken the immune system, making us more vulnerable to viruses.
You risk having a harder time controlling your emotions
Children become more irritable when they’re tired. Judging from the results of a study by Current Biology, the same may be said for adults. The emotional centres of the brain are 60 per cent more reactive when you are sleep‑deprived than when you are alert and rested. You might find yourself flying off the handle or, conversely, collapsing into tears at the slightest remark from a stranger. This kind of emotional hypersensitivity can have a serious impact on other areas of your life, especially if you’ve been sleep‑deprived for an extended period. The prognosis is even grimmer for insomniacs, who, according to the Harvard Medical School, are 10 times more likely to suffer from clinical depression.
You risk becoming more forgetful
There’s a reason parents tell their kids to go to bed early. Sleep plays a crucial role in the learning process. Even for adults who are no longer in school, lack of sleep takes a heavy toll on memory. As stated in a study by Harvard University, it can make learning new tasks more difficult. What’s more, sleep deprivation affects a person’s motivation, judgment, and perception of events.
You risk overeating—and gaining weight
People tend to eat both higher‑calorie foods and larger portions when they haven’t gotten enough sleep. That can lead to putting on extra pounds and increasing the risk of becoming overweight or obese. In a study published in the scientific journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, researchers examined the eating habits of 16 men of a normal weight in two controlled scenarios: the day after an eight‑hour night’s sleep and the day after a night of sleep deprivation. In the second set of conditions, the sleep‑deprived subjects generally consumed larger portions of food.
You increase your risk of having a stroke
Poor diet and lack of physical activity are often linked to cerebrovascular accidents. But did you know that lack of sleep is also considered a risk factor? The results of one meta-analysis suggest that difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and non‑restorative sleep all increase the risk of cerebrovascular events.
You increase your risk of developing hypertension
Did you know that, like obesity, smoking, inactivity, and stress, lack of sleep raises the risk of high blood pressure? That’s what a study published on PubMed concludes. Catching less than five hours of shut‑eye per night significantly raises the risk of developing high blood pressure in persons aged 32 to 59.
You risk developing coronary heart disease
Not sleeping enough can lead to coronary heart disease. In another PubMed study, researchers discovered that men who slept less than six hours a night were at greater risk of being diagnosed with coronary heart disease than men who slept for seven to eight hours. Lack of sleep has been shown to increase heart rate, vasoconstriction, and salt retention—all of which are considered risk factors for coronary heart disease.
You risk becoming diabetic
As you may already know, obese individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than people of a healthy weight. Did you know, however, that people who don’t get enough sleep are also at risk? According to a PubMed study, using a baseline of men who got seven hours of sleep per night, researchers found that the likelihood of developing diabetes increased twofold in men who slept for six hours or less. Lack of sleep appears to increase the body’s production of cortisol, which can lead to insulin resistance.
Your skin ages prematurely
It’s tough to look good when you’re running on no sleep. Red eyes, under‑eye circles, and seemingly magnified wrinkles all make you appear older than you do when well rested. One study has even drawn a link between lack of sleep and premature skin aging. More specifically, men and women who don’t get enough sleep tend to have skin with lower elasticity and more fine lines.
You risk developing prostate cancer
Watching your weight and diet are important keys to preventing prostate cancer. According to a study by the American Association for Cancer Research, a good night’s rest is also essential, especially for those who regularly experience insomnia. Men who suffer from insomnia are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as men who have no trouble getting enough sleep.
You increase your risk of developing breast cancer
Lack of sleep is also associated with health risks specific to women. In one study published by Springer, researchers asked 101 breast cancer patients about their sleeping habits. They found that post‑menopausal women who slept for fewer hours not only often contracted more aggressive forms of cancer but also were at greater risk of recurrence.
You increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Western society. In addition to poor diet, a study by the American Cancer Society points to lack of sleep as one of the leading causes. Focusing on quality of sleep among 1,240 individuals who had just undergone a colonoscopy, the researchers observed that people who routinely slept for less than six hours a night were 50 per cent more likely to develop colorectal adenomas.
You risk becoming infertile
If you’re trying to have kids, you can boost your chances of conceiving by getting enough sleep every night. According to one study by the American Journal of Epidemiology, sleep deprivation leads to a lower sperm count. The researchers found that the sperm concentration in men who often suffered sleep disturbances was 29 per cent below average.
You’ll have a harder time concentrating—and risk getting into a traffic accident
According to the National Sleep Foundation, driving on less than six hours of sleep makes it three times more likely that you’ll get into an accident. When fatigued, you become less focused and more prone to mishaps on the road. So don’t delay in taking charge of your sleep quality! It’s one of the best things you can do for your health and safety.
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