A consistent lack of sleep impacts your health. According to research, an adult should get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep per night to remain healthy. Not only does lack of sufficient sleep increase your chances of getting sick, but poor sleep can also affect your mood and ability to concentrate.
Some people might confuse the consequences of experiencing consistent sleep deprivation with general malaise, but if you haven't had a decent night's rest for several nights and suffer from one or more of the symptoms below, you should see a physician.
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1. Frequent illness
People who don't sleep well often get sick more easily and stay ill for a longer period of time than those who get the prescribed seven hours of rest. Health issues may include colds, aches, pains, headaches and indigestion.
People who don't sleep well often get sick more easily and stay ill for a longer period of time than those who get the prescribed seven hours of rest. Health issues may include colds, aches, pains, headaches and indigestion.
2. Dizziness or vertigo
The brain needs time to reset at night. If you wake up feeling like the room is moving around or the floor is shifting under your feet and you know you're not ill, it might indicate a poor night's sleep.
The brain needs time to reset at night. If you wake up feeling like the room is moving around or the floor is shifting under your feet and you know you're not ill, it might indicate a poor night's sleep.
3. Exhaustion
Feeling extremely tired all day long is an obvious sign of not getting enough sleep. Exhaustion goes past the point of just being sleepy and can affect everyday actions such as concentration.
Feeling extremely tired all day long is an obvious sign of not getting enough sleep. Exhaustion goes past the point of just being sleepy and can affect everyday actions such as concentration.
4. Lack of appetite
Some people get too tired to eat or have no desire to eat at all. A lack of appetite could stem from other things, such as stress or illness, but often goes hand in hand with exhaustion.
Some people get too tired to eat or have no desire to eat at all. A lack of appetite could stem from other things, such as stress or illness, but often goes hand in hand with exhaustion.
5. Inability to concentrate
A wandering or blanked-out mind may mean an individual has not gotten enough rest. Inability to focus on the task at hand is a symptom of sleep deprivation.
A wandering or blanked-out mind may mean an individual has not gotten enough rest. Inability to focus on the task at hand is a symptom of sleep deprivation.
6. Forgetfulness
Individuals who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis can exhibit signs of forgetfulness ranging from missing meetings, important events and even forgetting to do important daily tasks such as picking up the kids from school. When a person does not get enough sleep, it's not dementia or other disease but simply the brain being just too tired to think straight.
Individuals who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis can exhibit signs of forgetfulness ranging from missing meetings, important events and even forgetting to do important daily tasks such as picking up the kids from school. When a person does not get enough sleep, it's not dementia or other disease but simply the brain being just too tired to think straight.
7. Clumsiness
Exhaustion affects motor skills. Stumbling, knocking over drinks or bumping into people more often than usual may mean you need more sleep.
Exhaustion affects motor skills. Stumbling, knocking over drinks or bumping into people more often than usual may mean you need more sleep.
8. Nodding off
Falling asleep is great for an insomniac—but not when it's in the wrong place or at the wrong time. Nodding off at work or school, during meetings or while driving is a sign of sleep deprivation.
Falling asleep is great for an insomniac—but not when it's in the wrong place or at the wrong time. Nodding off at work or school, during meetings or while driving is a sign of sleep deprivation.
9. Less interest in sex
People who are exhausted just don't have the energy or inclination to do anything extra, and that includes having sex. A downswing in sex drive could be a consequence of not getting a solid night's sleep.
People who are exhausted just don't have the energy or inclination to do anything extra, and that includes having sex. A downswing in sex drive could be a consequence of not getting a solid night's sleep.
10. Depression
Depression is not uncommon in sleep-deprived individuals since tiredness often saps a person of the desire to do anything fun or be social. Seek counseling if depression starts interfering with your daily life or if you have harmful thoughts.
Depression is not uncommon in sleep-deprived individuals since tiredness often saps a person of the desire to do anything fun or be social. Seek counseling if depression starts interfering with your daily life or if you have harmful thoughts.
11. Changes in outward appearance
Puffy eyes, bleary eyes and sagging skin are three of the most obvious physical signs a person is exhausted. Some people become paler while others look flushed. Lack of sleep affects the immune system, so exhaustion can wreak havoc on a person's skin complexion.
Puffy eyes, bleary eyes and sagging skin are three of the most obvious physical signs a person is exhausted. Some people become paler while others look flushed. Lack of sleep affects the immune system, so exhaustion can wreak havoc on a person's skin complexion.
12. Weight gain
Feeling tired makes a person sedentary. Fatigue prevents a person from going to the gym Lack of exercise can result in added weight, even if the person does not have an increased appetite.
Feeling tired makes a person sedentary. Fatigue prevents a person from going to the gym Lack of exercise can result in added weight, even if the person does not have an increased appetite.
13. Mood changes
No one feels happy when they're exhausted. Becoming depressed, irrationally sad or withdrawn can indicate you need help getting a better night's rest.
No one feels happy when they're exhausted. Becoming depressed, irrationally sad or withdrawn can indicate you need help getting a better night's rest.
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