Approximately one third of adults around the world are struggling to get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. This might not seem that bad, except that it leads to a significant amount of the population struggling to get through their days without stimulants and naps. You might not realize it, but sleep deprivation could be severely damaging your health.
Makes it Harder to Think Clearly
When someone hasn’t slept well, they are much more likely to struggle to make decisions simply because their brain isn’t functioning as well as it could be. Sleep deprivation makes it harder for you to recall details and harder to make decisions quickly.
Makes it Harder to Eat Well
When you haven’t slept well, you are going to be more likely to crave foods that are not great for you, such as those that are high in fat and carbohydrates. You are also more likely to buy more food than you need, making it harder for you to moderate what you are eating. This is also bad for your overall budget.
Makes Mental Health Harder to Moderate
In addition to making it harder to make decisions, not getting enough sleep will also make any existing mental illness you have harder to handle. You are more likely to get stressed out by little things during the day which will make it even more difficult to manage your anxiety and depression. This, in turn, makes it harder for you to fall asleep at night, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and poor mental health.
Makes Pain Worse
If you suffer from an injury or chronic pain, you’ll find that your pain feels a lot worse when you haven’t slept well. It’s not your imagination. Science has actually found that pain feels approximately 25 percent worse when you’re deprived of sleep.
Makes You More Likely to Get Sick or Injured
Because your body uses your rest time as time to rebuild your immune system and your muscles, you are much more likely to get sick or injured when you haven’t slept. You’re more likely to make bad decisions that results in taking risks you shouldn’t take, which will make you more clumsy. Being clumsier makes it easier to get injured.
How can You Work to Improve Your Sleep?
- Set aside Time for Sleep: Set yourself a strict bedtime and wake-up time that are at least 9 hours apart. This will give you enough time to get the sleep that you need, even if you toss and turn a lot. You should keep this schedule as often as humanly possible in order to give your body the chance to rest.
- Redesign Your Bedroom: Chances are, you probably need to replace both your pillows and your mattress. People tend to avoid replacing them because they are pricey, but you not to have the support you need while you were asleep. Pillows should be replaced at least every three years, while mattresses can last up to 10.
- Create a Relaxing Evening Routine: In order to help yourself relax at night, fill your evenings with restful activities that you can do every night without fail. It doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be consistent. Your body will get used to doing these things and then going to sleep, making it easier for you to make that transition.
