The Effects of Sleep Deprivation

We all know the feeling of sleep deprivation. We feel groggy, unproductive, and often irritable. While these symptoms can quickly disappear following a good night’s sleep, if we suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorder, it can have detrimental effects on our health and wellbeing.

Here are five areas that can be adversely impacted by sleep deprivation.

1. Immune function and health deteriorates

Sleep deprivation places an enormous amount of stress on the body and therefore has the same effect as environmental chronic stress. It can increase wear and tear on our vital organs, leading to their reduced capacity over time. Insomnia is also associated with an increased risk of most diseases and reduces our body’s ability to fight infection.

2. Mental health worsens

One of the major risk factors for mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety is poor sleep. Lack of sleep adversely affects hormones and neurotransmitters associated with mood, resulting in a deterioration over time. In fact, sleep is often a major trigger for mania (in people with bipolar disorder) and increases the risk of psychotic relapse in people with schizophrenia. Poor sleep also makes depression far more difficult to treat.

3. Memory and attention deteriorates

It comes as no surprise that sleep deprivation will adversely affect our ability to remember events and sustain attention. We become less productive and our reaction time is greatly reduced. Sleep problems are also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. In an animal study, sleep-deprived mice lost 25 percent of the neurons located in their locus coeruleus (a part of the brain associated with cognitive processes, such as memory and attention).

4. Emotional responses are heightened

When you’re well-rested parts of your brain known as the frontal cortex and amygdala work in concert with each other. Their communication pathways are efficient which means that our emotional reactions are better regulated. However, sleep deprivation causes a disconnect between these two brain centres, allowing your emotions to be more reactive. We are easily triggered by daily frustrations and it takes longer for us to settle.

5. Promotes type 2 diabetes and obesity

Research indicates that sleep deprivation promotes type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. It is believed that sleep restriction alters glucose metabolism (leading to insulin resistance), increases appetite and decreases energy expenditure (metabolism).

If you are suffering from sleep problems it is important that you review your sleep routines and daily behaviours. Are you engaging in any behaviours that will impact on the quality of your sleep? Common examples include working late at night, exercising too late in the evening, eating a big meal before bed, consuming too much caffeine or alcohol, not taking time out during the day and evening, and having a poor bedroom environment (e.g, consider light, comfort, temperature, and noise).