How Lack Of Sleep Affects Your Health

How bad can lack of sleep be?

Answer: Very, very bad.

In the long run, sleep deprivation is bad for your health. There are many side effects of sleep deprivation. Here are 3 that you should know:

1. Lack of sleep weakens immunity

Besides consistent exercise and a healthy diet, our immune system is strengthened by consistent, high-quality sleep. Sleep allows our T cells in the body to be redistributed and these are a type of white blood cells that would look for foreign particles in the body and destroy them.  With the lack of proper sleep, our immune system is weak and hence, we’re more susceptible to falling sick.

2. It leads to weight gain…what?

Yes. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain. How? When you’re sleep-deprived, your metabolism is slower. Also, we tend to stuff ourselves with foods, especially sugary foods and caffeinated beverages so that we will feel awake. Our ability to make sound decisions is limited due to the lack of sleep. A study stated that it has the same effect on the body that has 0.1% of blood alcohol content. 

3. Lack of sleep increases blood pressure

Sadly, this is true. Lack of quality sleep for a night or two does not cause hypertension. But if you have the habit of pulling an all-nighter, you will develop risks of getting high blood pressure. Research has proven that “habitual short sleep duration is associated with hypertension, especially during middle age.” Don’t forget, hypertension is a silent killer.

As much as you want to complete that business email, write a paper, or aimlessly scroll through your social media posts, your body needs the proper sleep it deserves. Sleep deprivation is bad for your health. You don’t want to go down that road. Remember to get at least 6 hours of sleep daily for better health!

Do you have trouble with snoring? Does your snoring affect your relationship? You might have OSA. Learn more here.

Did you know the plant-based diet can improve your sleep? Do check out our menu.