Many of us have such busy schedules and often end up sacrificing one very important activity: sleep. Because it’s such a normal part of life, some people forget to reconsider sleeping habits and how they affect health.
Did you know that sleep deprivation is actually considered a public health epidemic in America? Everyone from toddlers to the elderly are clocking in fewer hours of sleep than recommended. If you keep going at this rate, your overall wellbeing will also continue to suffer.
The Importance of Sleep
One of sleep deprivation’s detrimental effects previously discussed on SKFitLife is deteriorating vision. But there’s more to the story than having to wear eyeglasses. Since fitness is one of our core beliefs, it’s worth noting how sleep can lead to overeating and weight gain. Being exhausted is one of the main reasons a lot of people abandon their daily workout.
Sleep specialist Michael Breus explained that in a sleep-deprived state, the body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol which is also linked with an increased appetite. The hormone that tells you when you’re full (leptin) also begins to deplete, so you end up eating more without feeling satisfied. You also become less mindful of how healthy the food is, as you tend to combat stress with serotonin-inducing food like sugary snacks. This can lead to issues with digesting insulin which is why people who sleep less are prone to developing diabetes.
Such complications with weight gain are much more precarious than you think. Harvard Health stated that hormonal imbalance is a potential risk for obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Because of unhealthy food, your heart health may decline and you may not even realize that it’s also because of not getting quality sleep.
Of course, sleep deprivation has negative implications in other aspects of life, too. Poor concentration is one of its major symptoms. Students may perform poorly in school while professionals cannot put their complete focus on work. You may even put yourself or others in harm’s way. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that drowsy driving accounted for 83,000 crashes annually from 2005 to 2009. Their survey revealed that one in 25 adult drivers fall asleep behind the wheel.
This is dangerous especially for people who drive for a living like truckers. Because of the tight schedules, they have to meet, sleep deprivation has become such a pressing issue. Devices have been invented and mandated to ensure that drivers manage their time wisely and don’t resort to over driving. Verizon Connect highlights that cutting-edge technology in advanced fleet tracking systems monitors the behavior of drivers, specifically when it comes to sticking with their schedule, so that road safety is being observed at all times. Needless to say, this goes for all other drivers, too. Make sure you’re well-rested before going on a trip so that your mind stays sharp and agile on the road.
Lastly, personal relationships can suffer if you don’t have the energy nor concentration to socialize. Irritability is another symptom of sleep deprivation which does not make for a pleasant companion.
How to sleep better
There are many ways you can try to incorporate better sleeping habits but here are a few that I’ve personally found useful:
1. Workout in the morning to avoid excessive levels of adrenaline if you still need to exercise in the evening. If you only do your sessions at sundown, you may remain worked up even at bedtime.
2. Get your daily fix of vitamin D! Exposure to sunlight helps regulate the body’s internal clock.
3. Minimize caffeine or alcohol intake.
4. Stay off the internet when it’s time to go to bed. Staring at a screen can mess up your internal clock, as it tricks your brain into thinking that it is still daytime.
5. Try meditation. It helps to slow down both your body and mind, preparing you for a good night’s rest.
Guest Blogger
Eve Maisie
