To cope with the hectic modern life, most individuals disregard their bedtime, causing sleep deficit. While paying no importance to sleep may appear productive at the very moment, deprived sleep can have a severe impact on physical and mental well-being. According to Evan Bass Men’s Clinic, having an adequate amount of sleep depending on the age group is worth considering for the health and cognitive benefits of quality sleep.
A lack of quality sleep may lead to high blood pressure, weight fluctuation, fatigue, depression, diabetes, and cognitive impairment while affecting immunity levels. Here’s how deprived sleep takes a toll on overall well-being.
Reduces Depression
Having a sound and adequate night’s sleep helps an individual feel fully refreshed, reenergized, and geared up to get started for the day in full swing. Noteworthy, there is a bidirectional relationship between depression and sleep. This means deprived or poor sleep patterns can contribute to depression, while a depressed mind has a heightened likelihood of experiencing sleep-related problems like insomnia. In fact, having sound sleep can be immensely helpful for people who suffer from depression. A good night’s sleep is also crucial to manage stress.
Helps in Weight Management
Exhausted professionals who find less time to sleep are more likely to be obese or overweight. According to Evan Bass Men’s Clinic, deprived sleep directly impacts the levels of ghrelin and leptin hormone levels – which have a direct connection to hunger and weight. An increase of ghrelin aka ‘hunger hormone’ stimulates appetite levels while the leptin hormone makes one feel full. The decreased level of leptin due to tiredness makes it harder for individuals to stop eating even when they are full. Thus, overeating results in weight gain.
Helps Improve Memory and Learning
Studies have repeatedly established that adequate sleep boosts the ability of a person to retain information and learn more. Having good sleep also improves one’s problem-solving ability, focus, and overall memory. It also helps reinforce the brain’s neurological connection, a vital factor that influences cognition and memory and thereby enhances the ability to learn and remember things.
Improves Performance and Productivity
Lack of sleep makes people feel lethargic, forgetful, and drowsy and can impair one’s ability to carry out complex project works which translates into poor performance. Getting adequate sleep enhances the ability level of individuals to stay focused, and responsive thereby boosting their productivity as well as overall performance. Disturbed work-life balance is a leading cause of stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep. Sleep also lessens mood swings and heightens the ability of individuals to handle upsetting situations more efficiently.
How to Get Better Sleep
Simply by bringing lifestyle changes, busy individuals can boost their sleep quality and patterns. Make sure to quit working a minimum of an hour before going to bed, instead spend around 10-15 minutes for meditation or deep breathing to relax physical and mental setup. Also having an eye on the diet is important since the foods and drinks one consumes impact greatly on sleep quality.
Consider eating healthy and well-balanced foods and avoid eating too much fatty or spicy foods. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages after the evening and limit alcohol consumption. Maintaining routine exercises, setting a sleep schedule, and sticking to it are important to get better sleep and stay productive in a fast-paced life.
