What Sleep Deprivation Is Truly Doing to You

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We are an exhausted society. Regardless of your background—whether it’s your education level, income, ethnicity, religion, gender, or geographical location—most of us have faced significant sleep deprivation at some point. During college, it seemed normal and even exciting to survive on just three hours a night, thinking you could catch up later. In the early stages of your career, before starting a family, you may have managed just 5 to 6 hours of sleep for weeks or even months. Youth and ambitious career goals, combined with a child-free home, allowed you to thrive on minimal sleep, spending weekends recovering.

Then came the reality of parenthood, hitting you hard and leaving you struggling to recall the last time you enjoyed more than five hours of continuous sleep. Experts often claim that the erratic sleep patterns of newborns are merely temporary, suggesting that it will improve in about six months. However, I have yet to encounter a new mother, or one with preschoolers, school-aged kids, tweens, or teenagers, who can confidently say they enjoy restful nights and meet the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep.

The truth is, no one seems to be sleeping well. Whether you’re up tending to a crying infant or anxiously waiting for a teenager to return home, the reality remains: sleepless nights lead to exhausting days. Women, in particular, have adapted to functioning on insufficient sleep, revising their definition of a “full night’s sleep” post-children. Remember when eight hours felt like a luxury? Now, if you manage to get six uninterrupted hours, you consider yourself lucky and feel rejuvenated.

But even if you think you’re feeling refreshed, your body’s physical and mental health is likely suffering. It’s signaling for rest, and if you ignore these warning signs, you risk shutting down your system entirely. Our nation’s sleep deprivation crisis is slowly taking a toll on our health—literally.

Here’s what a lack of sleep can do to your body:

1. Health Risks: Chronic sleep deprivation significantly increases your risk of various diseases. Research indicates a 36% higher likelihood of developing colorectal cancer, a 48% increased risk of heart disease, and a threefold increase in the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the likelihood of obesity rises by 50%, while your risk of dementia increases by 33%. Sleep deprivation also weakens immune function, making you more susceptible to common illnesses like colds and infections.
2. Mood Disorders: Insufficient sleep can lead to severe mood issues. It’s not just about feeling foggy or forgetful; long-term sleep deprivation is linked to significant mental health challenges. Those with depression and anxiety often report sleeping less than six hours a night, and insomnia is closely associated with increased depression risk. Lack of sleep contributes to hostile behaviors and negative emotions, with recent studies indicating that women may experience more detrimental effects on memory and work performance than men.
3. Premature Aging: Insufficient sleep elevates cortisol levels, which can lead to the breakdown of collagen—a crucial protein for maintaining skin elasticity. Research by Estee Lauder found that those who sleep poorly show more signs of skin aging and have a slower recovery from environmental stressors, such as UV exposure.
4. Driving Risks: Perhaps the most alarming statistic relates to sleep and driving. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that individuals who sleep only five or six hours within 24 hours are twice as likely to be in a car accident compared to those who sleep for seven hours or more. Furthermore, drivers who sleep just four or five hours have a crash rate four times higher, akin to that of inebriated drivers.

If these factors don’t prompt you to reconsider your sleep habits, it’s hard to say what will. Consult your doctor about strategies to restore your sleep patterns before you find yourself grappling with chronic illnesses and premature aging. For those interested in exploring self-care and wellness, you might also check out resources on at-home insemination, like the Impregnator At-Home Insemination Kit, or the Cryobaby Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo for more insights. Additionally, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine offers excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.

In summary, the effects of sleep deprivation encompass a wide range of health risks, mood disorders, signs of aging, and even driving hazards. Prioritizing sleep is essential for maintaining overall well-being.