The Side Affects of Sleep Loss 😴😴

Sleep loss affects a vast majority of the global population. Accompanied by a list of side effects, lack of sleep is an everyday reality for millions. 

So, how can you tell when you’re sleep deprived? Check out the side effects of sleeplessness below to see whether you’re running on low fuel, day in, day out.

Increased Hunger

An increase in hunger throughout the day, especially a craving for sugary, carbohydrate dense foods, can be a clear sign of sleep deprivation.

If you’re body fails to get the energy it needs through sleep, it naturally looks for energy in the form of food.

When you’re sleep deprived, you tend to eat more of what you’re craving, as the body fails to notice when it is full up.

Weight Gain

With over eating, often comes weight gain. A lack of sleep also tends to wreak havoc on metabolism, so if you’re feeling sluggish, grabbing for the sugar and gaining weight due to this, it’s best to look at the source of it all, which could be sleep deprivation.

You’re More Impulsive

People tend to agree to situations with much less thought and consideration when they are sleep deprived, often making judgment errors or behaving in a way which is out of the ordinary to their normal personality.

If you feel like you are jumping to conclusions or failing to really evaluate certain situations, then the chances are that you’re probably sleep deprived.

Poor Memory

When you’re sleep deprived, your memory function really does suffer and become short in nature.

Can’t remember where you last put your car keys? Lost your phone? This can all be linked to poor cognitive memory and be be fixed with getting in a good dose of sleep.

Poor Motor Skills

Tripping over your feet might be a pretty common mishap, but tripping, stumbling or even hitting your head or bumping your shins on the table can be a sign that you’re motor skills are a little off, another symptom of sleep deprivation.

The increase in reaction time, often caused by sleep deprivation, can also mean that we are more likely to take falls from mishaps that would have a been a small stumble, had we been on the correct sleep.

Heightened Emotions

Just one single night of poor sleep can really impact emotional health, leading to impulsive decisions and heightened emotions.

Essentially, poor sleep leads to an increase in activity in the emotional centre of the brain, the amygdala. If you feel like your emotions are essentially in overdrive, you’re most likely exhausted.

You Get Sick Often

Finally, a big symptom of sleep loss can be a poorly functioning immune system, leading to constant coughs and sniffles.

If you feel as if you’re constantly ill, your sleep quality is probably the best place to start!

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