{"id":6028,"date":"2019-06-06T11:43:04","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T15:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=6028"},"modified":"2025-01-15T14:33:08","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T19:33:08","slug":"lack-of-sleep-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/lack-of-sleep-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Lack of sleep \u2014 the true side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

The effects of lack of sleep can be felt almost immediately. We\u2019ve all heard that car accidents increase the day after the spring forward time change \u2014 it\u2019s true. So if one hour less of sleep can make that much of a difference to our driving ability, what else can it do?<\/p>\n

The side effects of sleep deprivation<\/h2>\n

According to sleep therapist Aaron Arkin, the effects of sleep deprivation on the brain are widespread. \u201cDaytime performance deficits are obvious: irritability rates go up, concentration declines, workplace accidents increase. All of this leads to absenteeism at work. Lately, I\u2019ve also been hearing a lot about \u2018presenteeism,\u2019 which is when you\u2019re at work, but unable to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just our professional lives that suffer. Over time, the health effects of lack of sleep really add up. Cumulative sleep deprivation increases our risk<\/a> of developing hypertension<\/a>, diabetes, obesity<\/a>, depression<\/a>, heart attack, and stroke. In general, our chances of developing chronic health issues increase, as lack of sleep weakens the immune system\u00a0over time.<\/p>\n

Weird physical symptoms of sleep deprivation<\/h2>\n

Our bodies work on internal clocks called \u201ccircadian rhythms,\u201d which is why we feel tired at night and refreshed in the morning (at least in theory). These rhythms also control when different hormones are released, so throwing off our bodies\u2019 internal clock messes with more than just our mood. In fact, just one night of sleep deprivation decreases the production of leptin<\/a>, a hormone which suppresses appetite.<\/p>\n

Disruption to the sleep\/wake pattern also messes with the relationship between our brain and our gut. <\/span>Research shows<\/span><\/a> that our digestive system is thrown off more quickly by lack of sleep than our brain \u2014 leading the brain to send signals to our stomach at the wrong time. These factors explain why shift work often correlates with an increased risk of obesity and diabetes, and why many shift workers complain of digestive issues. This means that\u00a0we end up both hungrier and worse at processing the food we\u2019re likely bingeing on.<\/span><\/p>\n

The psychological effects of sleep deprivation<\/h2>\n

While the\u00a0long-term physical symptoms get a lot of coverage, the emotional and mental effects of sleep deprivation can be just as debilitating. One of the most immediate effects lack\u00a0of sleep\u00a0has is on mood. Not getting enough shut-eye messes with our ability to regulate our emotions and increases our irritability. This is why you find yourself snapping at your partner after a bad night, or crying in your cubicle over something minor at work. With regular sleep deprivation you accumulate sleep debt, leading to more pronounced effects.<\/p>\n

Lack of sleep and depression often go hand-in-hand. In fact, many mental illnesses correlate<\/a> with difficulty sleeping. Those with bipolar disorder, for example, often experience trouble sleeping, which in turn\u00a0can exacerbate symptoms of their illness.<\/p>\n

The effects of lack of sleep on your brain and body<\/h2>\n

The effects of sleep loss are varied, but some of the short and long term effects include:<\/p>\n