How Does Sleep Deprivation Affects Us?
If you have spent a night clubbing or have been unable to sleep tossing from side to side in bed you already know how you will feel the following day. You may feel irritable, weary, tired and easily annoyed. A temporary lack of sleep causes irritability and daytime fatigue. However, permanent sleep deprivation causes dangerous health problems such as weakened immunity, high blood pressure, and weight gain.
Chronic and permanent sleep deprivation can affect not only your mood but your well-being. According to Health Line’s article “The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on your Body”, June 5, 2017, written by Stephanie Watson and medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., RN, CRNA, the long-term effects of sleep deprivation are dangerous. It can drain your mental abilities and put your health at risk.
Scientific studies have linked bad sleep with memory issues. According to Watson’s article, the central nervous system transfers information in your body and getting enough sleep is essential in order to function properly. When you are sleeping pathways in your brain are formed between neurons that help you remember the learned information. For instance, when I try to remember something I read it before I go to sleep, and, in the morning, I know it by heart. While you sleep you easily remember information and lack of sleep can negatively affect both short- and long-term memory.
According to BBC’ s article “Why sleep should be every student’s priority”, 20 August 2018, by Christiane Ro, children should sleep during the day in order to remember everything they have to learn. Daytime naps are proven to be very important for children’s vocabulary growth and learning the meaning of words. Sleep continues to be important for memory formation and learning throughout your entire life.
Another health issue that can be caused by sleep deprivation is high blood pressure. If you sleep less than five hours per night, you are at risk for high blood pressure. Also, you do not get enough sleep your emotional state and mental abilities are negatively affected. It can lead to anxiety or depression and mood swings caused by impatience. You can also have trouble with concentration and problem-solving.
According to the psychology textbook “Understanding Psychology 13th edition” written by Robert Fedelman, sleep deprivation experiments show that participants who have not get enough sleep fell irritable, weary, show lack of creativity and it is hard for them to concentrate. Because of the lack of sleep, their logical reasoning ability declines. According to Fedelman certain parts of the brain responsible for the processing of emotions, such as the amygdala, become sensitive and overreact after you have not got enough sleep. The amygdala processes fear and aggression, and is responsible for your irritability when you have slept badly. Also, you should know that stimulants like caffeine are not enough to replace the much-needed hours of sleep you have missed.
Another effect of sleep deprivation is weight gain. Тhe chemicals that signal your brain that you are full become off-balanced. As a result, you are more likely to eat more food even though you have had enough.
According to Watson’s article, the immune system can be also affected. During sleep, your immune system produces infection-fighting substances like cytokines which protect your body from viruses and bacteria and defend your body against illness. If you do not get enough sleep your body may not be able to protect you and it will take longer to recover from illness. Having a weakened immune system makes your body vulnerable to various illnesses.
According to the American Psychology Association’s statistics more than 40 percent of the adults in the United States experience sleepiness during the day severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month.
For children and adults, prolonged sleep is not a sign of laziness, it is crucial for brains’ connections and body rhythm. We are always hearing about the importance of sleeping enough. Sleep restores and repairs both your brain and body, processes and strengthens memories, facilitates creative problem solving and protects you from getting ill. It serves crucial functions and without it, you will eventually die. Scientists have not yet considered how much sleep is required per night. However, the more sleep you get the better sense of well-being you will maintain.
Liliya Radkova is a third-year student in the American University in Bulgaria majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is interested in writing about psychological and social topics.
