October 07, 2019 2 min read

Other than waking up tired in the morning (yaaaawn) have you ever wondered if your body is giving you signs that you are not getting the optimal amount of sleep you should be? Read on to learn about some of the signs you may not instinctively associate to lack of sleep.

 

Your appetite increases

 

If your body is not recharging from sleep, it may try to supplement the lack of energy with eating more food. Along with trying to balance out lost energy, a lack of sleep can disturb important hormones which increase cravings for fatty and sugary foods, as well as decrease the signals in your body which let you know that you are full.1

 

Your impulse control changes 

 

Sleep has been proven to be tied to the brain’s ability to practice self-control and attention, a process which gets compromised when you are not getting the ideal amount of Zzz’s. The energy needed for better self-control is easier spent than it is replenished, so impulsive behaviour can definitely be a red flag that you need more sleep.2

 

You have memory trouble

 

Sleep is an important process for making new memories, so it is critical to be well rested so you can form moments into your memory. Deep sleep, which helps you form memories, happens later in sleep and in a cyclical pattern, so the more sleep the better.3

 

You get sick often

 

Getting a good amount of sleep is important for the immune system to fight off infections, inflammation or stress. If you are getting sick often, it may be due to immune system suppression, as well as the lack of infection fighting antibodies due to lack of sleep.4

 

_______________

References

https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20906153,00.html?slide=106521#106521

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00284/full

https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/sleep-deprived-productivity-suffers-memory-decision-making-creativity.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757



Also in Blog

Lifestyle Hacks to Improve Your Health & Sleep
Lifestyle Hacks to Improve Your Health & Sleep

July 15, 2024 5 min read

Sticking to a healthy lifestyle requires time, energy, and motivation. With that said, here are 8 well-known lifestyle hacks proven to help anyone stay healthy...
Read More
is snoring affecting your health?
Is Snoring Affecting Your Health?

July 10, 2024 3 min read

While most know that snoring can be annoying for bed partners and embarrassing for the offending party, could this common habit also be bad for your health?
Read More
Lady on swing at sunset reaching out to an empty swing
The Deadly Duo: Sleep Apnea, Obesity, and the Importance of a Good Night's Sleep

July 09, 2024 2 min read

With the rise of obesity and the prevalence of sleep apnea, the importance of quality sleep cannot be overstated...
Read More