Discover the Effects of Lack of Sleep on Your Health
Have you ever wondered what are the effects of lack of sleep? Lack of sleep is dangerous, and if you have constant sleep deprivation you need to take note of these warnings. In the following paragraphs we will discuss some of the reasons that sleep deprivation can be harmful to your health.
What is so important that you aren’t getting enough sleep? That is the first question to ask. Most insomnia is caused by worry. People can’t get to sleep because they are worried about how they are going to pay the bills, getting their tax form completed on time, or their relationships. Health issues can also cause worry, stress and anxiety.
All this worry causes tension which makes it very hard to relax. The brain stays active and this makes it much more difficult to get to sleep. You may find yourself waking up many times during the night and then being unable to fall asleep again very easily. Many people can’t get to sleep because they are sensitive to outside noises such as traffic, or light.
Insomnia is waking up multiple times during the night which prevents your body from entering into the deeper stages of sleep and getting the rest it needs. One common reason for this is sleep apnea which is caused by an obstruction in the airways during sleep. Breathing can stop for up to a minute which causes you to wake up and start breathing again.
There are many other physical causes as well as emotional that can stop you getting the quality of sleep you need. It can often be because of some stress in your life that you haven’t fully dealt with.
The dangers that the effects of lack of sleep can lead to come in many forms. A lack of sleep causes problems with cognition making it more difficult to think. This can lead to embarrassment if you are in a work meeting or attending an important lecture. It can also make driving more dangerous as your reactions may be impaired if you are feeling drowsy from lack of sleep.
Sleep helps to regulate your emotions and a lack of it can make you feel very edgy and much more sensitive. If you aren’t getting enough sleep every emotion is intensified. You may have a much lower threshold for getting angry, and you may find yourself feeling down very easily.
Another one of the effects of lack of sleep is high blood pressure which if not treated can lead to strokes or heart attacks. During sleep your body is allowed to completely relax and a lack of it can result in aches and pains such as back ache or neck pain.
Lack of sleep can be aging, as cell repair takes place during the deeper stages of sleep, Your immunity may also be affected resulting in a lower resistance to colds and viruses.
If you suffer from anxiety or nervous tension you may find it hard to unwind at bedtime, which can cause insomnia. One simple but very effective technique is to loosen your clothing and lay down on the bed with your head resting on a pillow. Breathe in deeply and then exhale slowly several times. Then starting with your left foot, tense the muscles and hold for about 8 seconds.
Let the muscles completely relax while breathing in deeply and then exhaling slowly. Repeat for each group of muscles in the body up to the neck and head. Remember to continue the deep breathing as you tense and relax the muscle groups. You may well find that you have dropped off to sleep before finishing the exercise! This may also help to lower your blood pressure.