How a Lack of Sleep Affects Your Life
By Genevieve Cunningham
Sleep. We all need more, and yet no one seems to be able to find it. Most of us spend our entire adult lives in a state of exhaustion due to lack of sleep. While it's easy to dismiss this as a part of life, the truth is that a lack of sleep can significantly affect our health. But how? It’s not really that bad, is it? If you're not getting enough rest in your life, take a look at these ways in which a lack of sleep can affect your health, followed by some tips for improving your sleep.
It Can Cause Moodiness
Probably not surprising, but it's definitely true that a lack of sleep can cause excessive moodiness. Your brain simply doesn't have time to rest or recuperate. Think about how you feel when you go to bed late one night or have to wake up significantly earlier. You're grumpy, right? If you’re not getting enough sleep, check your own moods, and make changes from there.
It Can Make It Difficult to Focus
You know when you walk into a room, and then you suddenly can’t remember why? That happens to everyone, but if it’s happening all the time, it’s possible that poor sleep is the culprit. When your body is lacking sleep, it can make it difficult for the mind to focus. And a lack of focus may cause problems at home, work, and in everyday life.
It Can Cause More Illness
A lack of sleep can create a little bit of inefficiency in the body. This means that various systems in the body may begin to drag or suffer. Why is this a problem? Because the immune system -- or the system that keeps you well -- can suffer significantly, causing you to experience more and longer illness with little in the way of relief. If you’ve noticed an increase in the amount of illness from which you suffer, it could be that you’re lacking sleep in a big way.
How to Get More Sleep
So what’s the answer? More sleep, of course! To get more sleep, it’s important to set a bedtime and then stick to it. You should also follow a similar wind-down routine every night, and stick to as much of a schedule as you possibly can. It can also help to limit technology use, get regular exercise, replace old pillows, and lower stress before bed. The harsh truth is that good sleep is crucial for long-term health and wellness. Use these tips to get better sleep, and you’ll likely see your health improve as a whole before you know it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashville, Tenn.