According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need around seven to nine hours of sleep every night to feel their best. Unfortunately, many of us don’t get nearly that much sleep.
In fact, the National Sleep Foundation reports that only about two-thirds of Americans get the recommended amount of sleep each night.
If you’re struggling to fall asleep or wake up feeling groggy, it might be because you’re getting less than the recommended hours of sleep.
Such a lack of sleep can have a negative impact on your health, and your quality of life. Let’s take a look at the key reasons why getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can be detrimental to you, your relationships, and your career.
Reduced Immune System
People who don’t get enough sleep are at a higher risk of catching a cold or the flu. Why? Because when you’re sleep-deprived, your immune system is weakened.
This means that you’re less likely to fight off a cold or the flu when you catch it. If you have a chronic illness, or you work at a job that requires you to be on-call, you might be more prone to getting sick.
Decreased productivity
If you’re chronically sleep deprived, you might not be as productive as you could be. This is because lack of sleep impairs your attention, focus, and ability to think clearly. As a result, you might make some poor decisions or not complete certain tasks correctly.
Poor concentration and decision-making can lead to missed deadlines, mistakes, or even employee turnover. This can have a serious impact on the organization and its productivity.
Increased Risk Of Obesity, Depression, And Anxiety
Researchers have found that people who report getting less than five hours of sleep each night are at a significantly increased risk of obesity. Additionally, people who don’t get enough sleep are at an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Lack of sleep can cause changes in the levels of the neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for mood regulation. Sleep deficits can lead to changes in certain brain regions that are linked to mood regulation.
Reduced Quality Of Life
If you don’t get enough sleep, you might feel tired all the time. This is because sleep deprivation can lead to a condition called sleepiness-related crashes.
These crashes can be extremely unpleasant and can negatively impact your quality of life. How? Lack of sleep can decrease your alertness during the day and negatively impact your productivity. This in turn can cause you to feel cranky, frustrated, and less focused.
What Can You Do To Get The Sleep You Need?
The key to getting the sleep you need is to create a sleep routine. You might be able to sleep better if you have your bed ready, eat a snack before bed, wear a comfortable sleep shirt, and don’t watch too much TV in bed.
If you’re not a heavy sleeper, use a white noise machine or pair it with a fan to drown out outside noises. Try leaning your head against a pillow that’s angled at 45 degrees, and don’t keep your phone in the bedroom.
If you’re frequently not feeling able to fall asleep or you wake up feeling groggy, talk to your doctor about your sleep habits. Sleep is important for your physical and mental health, and missing out on it can have a negative impact on your life.
Insomnia can cause a number of problems, including an impaired immune system, decreased productivity, increased risk of obesity, depression, anxiety, and decreased quality of life.
If you’re not getting the recommended amount of sleep, there are a number of things you can do to get back on track, including creating a sleep routine, leaning your head against a pillow that’s angled at 45 degrees, using a white noise machine, and keeping your phone out of the bedroom.
