The 10 Most Important Signs Of Sleep Deprivation

Which organ system benefits the most from the effects of sleep: the nervous system (brain) or the musculoskeletal system (body)?

Well, to answer this question, let’s put it this way” when we exercise (aerobics, yoga, jogging, swimming, etc.) our body – which here refers to our muscles) is at work. But in the activities of our daily routines (thinking, making tasks, organizing meetings, studying, etc.) our brain is the organ that is being exercised. Therefore, unless our tiredness is the result of an entire day of hike or exercise, fatigue is mainly of intellectual nature. And this is why the effects of sleep deprivation mostly affect the brain and its functions.

First and foremost, sleep deprived individuals suffer from following:

Sleepiness

Well, you didn’t see that one coming; did you? It’s rather straightforward! Your body needs what it is missing. Just like you would feel thirsty if you deprived your body of water, you will feel sleepy if you deprive your body from sleep. Because of that, your sleep cycle is deranged and instead of feeling sleepy at night, you tend to feel sleepy and drowsy during the day. Unfortunately, this sensation does not go away until you get a proper night sleep, for you will always need to compensate for any amount of sleep lost (sleep rebound).

Inability to Concentrate

With insufficient sleep, it is hard to focus on tasks that require concentration.

The brain requires a certain level of energy to fulfill its tasks, and part of that energy (in addition to diet and exercise) comes from having had a restful night of good quality sleep. Additionally, people who are sleep deprived tend to overestimate their performance capability and underestimate the effects of their lack of sleep on their ability to focus on important tasks.

Inability to make simple decisions

When you are sleep-deprived, even the simplest decisions seem to be hardcor tasks. More importantly, you tend to worry about trivial details instead of focusing on the bigger picture. This is because of the fact that your brain is not functioning at its optimal potential, and therefore it is difficult for you to distinguish what is important from what is irrelevant.

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Poor Memory

During sleep, the brain is on low-energy consuming mode and encounters fewer distractions, and this is the perfect time to consolidate memories and categorize short term memories as long term memories. This is why it is generally recommended (before an exam or an important presentation) to have a great night sleep to allow the brain to remember and internalize all the learned materials and restitute them in an organized manner.

Lack Of Sleep Leads To Increased Appetite

The longer you stay up working, the hungrier you get. It is simple; your body needs an additional source of fuels for every hour you stay up working late trying to push through.

This is mainly due to the fact that they have cravings for sweets and snacks. Chronic sleep deprivation has been proven to cause your body to produce more ghrelin (appetite stimulating hormone) and less leptin (appetite-inhibiting hormone); which would explain why sleep-deprived people are almost always hungry. But is this related to sleep-eating? We don’t know for sure.

Increased sensibility to colds

Yes, sleeping is necessary for your immune system too! A research study demonstrated that people who sleep less than 7 hours a night are at higher risks of developing trivial infections than those who sleep more than 8 hours. Another research investigation demonstrated that in people who only got 4 hours of sleep for several nights in a row, they yielded a weaker immune response to the flu vaccine compared to those who got 7.5 to 8.5 hours.

Crankiness and inappropriate mood changes     

Sleep-deprived people tend to be extremely irritable and emotional, to the point where even the weirdest things make them cry.

A possible explanation for this could be the fact that a sleep-deprived brain functions on lower energy levels, and thus stores negative memories easier and faster than positive ones. Additionally, a study demonstrated that the amygdala (which is the part of the brain responsible for processing fears and anxiety) communicates less efficiently with the part of the brain responsible for emotions control in sleep deprived individuals.

Reduced motor skills

You tend to be dizzy, to trip or to spill over your cup of milk when you missed a couple of nights of sleep? That is typically expected in a sleep deprived individual. Again, this has to do with brain alertness. When you lack sleep, you are unable to focus on trivial tasks, important tasks and even fine motor movements. You almost always miss the target. And this could also be caused by your vision problems too, yes, the ones that develop because your eyes can barely open due to your lack of sleep.

Relationship problems

You might not think that way at first, but your lack of sleep could affect your partner and your family too. With your sleep deprivation, you become cranky, irritable and can easily snap at your partner (and even your children). Additionally, you might become too tired for family activities, and watch out if important ones (such as your child’s first recital, your first anniversary together or your granny’s birthday party) are coming up!

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Decreased judgment

With a brain half awake, it becomes easier for you to take decisions that you are highly likely to regret. Making an important decision when sleep-deprived is almost the same as making the same decision when on sedating drugs or when intoxicated with alcohol.

Coffee and energy drinks are a quick fix for sleep deprivation, we all have turned to them at a certain point in our lives. However, don’t make it a habit. Once your body has sent you signals that you are sleep deprived, go to bed and do what is right, for every debt needs to be repaid.