It helps you embrace a new day, with a clear mind and a well-rested body. That, however, isn’t all that an 8-hour long shut-eye promises. Sleep is also extremely important for muscle growth, tissue repair and the synthesis of hormones in your body. It even helps you consolidate the day’s events and crucial pieces of information, into your permanent memory. Do you often hold back on your night’s slumber in the name of “productivity”?
Here are five serious consequences of lack of sleep that will have you reconsider your strategy to professional excellence:
1. It heightens diabetes risk
Many research studies suggest that diabetes could be one of the gravest consequences of sleep deprivation! Chronic sleep loss can greatly increase the risk of weight gain, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, a study conducted by the Journal of Applied Physiology reports. Another study by the American Diabetes Association found the association between sleep disturbances and type 2 diabetes risk. The study suggests that the increased sympathetic nervous activity, resulting due to sleep disturbance can cause glucose intolerance and thereby increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. It reduces exercise performance
Not able to keep up with your daily workout routine? Along with your diet, probably what you also need to take care of is your sleep. Research suggests that lack of sleep can lower the production of glycogen and carbohydrates that your body stores for the use of energy during exercise. Lack of sleep thereby pulls down your energy levels, focus and increases fatigue.
3. It leads to obesity
If you are battling to keep the extra flab off your body, apart from monitoring your diet and exercise, you should also concentrate on catching up on required sleep. Lack of sleep results in lowered glucose tolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity and higher evening levels of cortisol. It also increases the levels of ghrelin (hunger hormone) and decreases levels of leptin (the hormone that balances the intake of food). Sleep and a few other measures can help you keep in top shape.
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4. It increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are on the rise and sleep deprivation is its fodder, given our unhealthy lifestyle choices today. A 2009 study reports that less than 4 hours of sleep results in increased chances of death from coronary heart diseases in women. Lack of sleep also increases the risk for all-cause mortality.
5. It results in cognitive impairment
Find it hard to concentrate during office meetings? All-nighters are to blame! Sleep deprivation can hamper your attention span, ability to concentrate, alertness, and problem-solving capabilities. Disturbed sleep and poor sleep quality are also associated with poorer cognition, reports a study conducted by the Journals of Gerontology.
Set a fixed sleep schedule for yourself and make sure to follow the same every day, with minimal alterations. Try to get at least 8 hours of undisturbed sleep daily, but ensure that you avoid oversleeping as it can backfire when it comes to improving your physical state and overall wellbeing. Try including some physical activity in your daily schedule as it helps improve sleep quality. In case your sleep troubles are chronic, consult a doctor at the earliest. Embrace healthy sleeping habits to enliven your mind and body!
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