Consequences of Lack of Sleep

Most people don’t get enough sleep. We are a society that burns the candle at both ends, a nation where people stay up all night to study, work, or have fun especially at Lagos – where an average person gets home from work by 11pm and is out of the house by 5am the next morning. However, going without adequate sleep carries with it both short- and long-term consequences.

Many effects of a lack of sleep, such as feeling grumpy and not working at your best, are well known. But did you know that sleep deprivation can also have profound consequences on your physical health?

In the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.

Here are a few negative effects of lack of sleep:

1. Sleepiness Causes Accident.

Some accidents on the roads which we see or hear of nowadays are caused by lack of sleep. If you ever feel drowsy or sleepy while driving, park by the side and rest, or take a walk. It is better if you are not alone so the people with you could help you stay alert and awake.

2. Sleep Loss Dumbs You Down.

When you do not have adequate sleep, you would wake up feeling down and dull. This also slows you down during the day, making you less productive than you ought to be.

3. Sleep Causes Health Problems.

As earlier stated, lack of sleep though subtle it may seem initially, can lead to serious health problems if care is not taken. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, you name it.