Most of us have heard that the recommended average for a good night sleep is eight hours, although this can vary greatly from person to person. What we do have in common is the feelings of lethargy, grouchiness, and physical exhaustion when we don’t get enough. However, these obvious symptoms aren’t the only results of sleep deprivation, a lack of sleep can effect much more without you even realising.

Sleep DeprivationSleep Deprivation Could Increase Chance of Common Illness

Not getting enough shut-eye can increase your chances of becoming ill on a regular basis. If you find that you’re always catching colds, sore throats, or generally feeling unwell, this could be result of not sleeping as much your body requires. When an illness is combined with the feeling of tiredness the days can be a real struggle, particularly if you have to do something productive.

The reason for the increased rate of illness is due to the impact sleep deprivation has on the immune system. The exact connection has yet to be conclusively determined – due to the complexity of the immune system – but studies have observed a correlation between risk of illness and lack of sleep. This doesn’t mean insufficient sleep is the direct cause of feeling unwell, but the chances of catching a common cold are potentially increased.

Lack of Sleep May Increase Weight Gain

Sleep deprivation has also been linked to increased weight gain. You may think that the additional activity you get when not sleeping would actually aid weight loss, but the body actually burns around 500 calories during a nights rest. However, in this case it’s not your calorie consumption that is the contributing factor to the potential impact on your weight.

Sleep DeprivationThe most agreed upon theory about how lack of sleep contributes to weight gain is its effect on the level of the chemicals that make you feel hungry (ghrelin) or full (leptin). There have been observations that show those who get insufficient rest have decreased amount of leptin and increased amounts of ghrelin. This can lead to overeating which will subsequently cause fat gain and increase the risks of weight related illnesses.

Cognitive Reasoning Can Be Effected

We’re all aware of how tiredness can affect our concentration and alertness, even simple tasks are much harder after a bad night’s sleep. What many of us are less aware of is how sleep deprivation may negatively influence our ability to make good decisions. There is a theory that suggests inadequate sleep impairs the part of the brain that can assess negative outcomes, leading to over-optimistic decisions that are high-risk.

This theory can be substantiated by looking at how it influences everyday interactions. For example, there is reliable statistical evidence that shows driving tired causes almost 20% of road accidents. This partly due falling asleep at the wheel, but many of these accidents are likely caused by an impaired risk assessment of a situation. This same failure to accurately predict risk can also impact other areas, whether in a person’s work or personal life.

Sleep deprivation can significantly effect a person’s ability to function effectively both physically and mentally, so it’s important to catch up on sleep when you can.