For anyone who has ever suffered from a sleeping disorder or just had a bad night’s rest, you know just how terrible you can feel when you’re sleep deprived. Lack of sleep not only makes you feel grumpy and unfocused, it also contributes to bigger long-term health problems like obesity, weight gain, diabetes, heart attack, depression, heart disease, poor immunity, accelerated aging, chronic pain, low sex drive and even cancer.
One alarming study done by the University of Chicago showed that otherwise healthy adults can become prediabetic after just 3 to 4 nights of sleep deprivation. And it only gets more weird from there. Lack of sleep has also been shown to cause hallucinations, false memories, lost memories, actual brain shrinkage, and even irreparable brain damage! Yikes.
It’s no mystery that lack of sleep causes a multitude of health issues, and even though most of us know that, we still have trouble getting those required z’s. Stress, work, family, and other commitments often makes getting a full night’s rest near impossible. However, putting your sleep on the backburner is not a wise decision for your long term well being and happiness. So, if you want to maximize your health and happiness, it’s time to drop the “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” mantra and get that much-needed R&R. For tips and tricks on getting a better night’s rest, check out our pro-sleep articles.
infographic via Entrepreneur.com and Mic.com
