You probably already know how important it is to try to get a good night’s rest. If you are someone who suffers from chronic insomnia, then you might be worried about what a lack of sleep can do to your body. Take a look at the following three ways that lack of sleep can affect your health. This will show you just how dangerous sleep deprivation can be.
- Weight Gain
Weight gain is something that many people who don’t get enough sleep will experience. The chemicals that are supposed to tell your brain that you’re full won’t work right when you aren’t getting the right amount of sleep. This causes you to overeat and you’ll start to gain a substantial amount of weight. Weight problems can lead to many health issues and they can even have a negative impact on your mental health.
- High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Studies have shown that people who sleep for less than five hours each night have a greater risk of having high blood pressure. If you’re not getting much sleep at night, then you’re going to encounter blood pressure issues that can negatively impact your body. High blood pressure has often been referred to as a silent killer because of what it can do to you. Over time, your blood pressure issue could turn into a heart problem.
It’s also true that sleep deprivation has been linked to higher levels of chemicals in the body that are associated with inflammation. This can play a role in whether or not you will develop heart disease. Your blood pressure and heart health are all very much linked to your sleep patterns. If you want to protect your heart health, then getting enough sleep at night truly matters.
- Weakened Immune System
Finally, you need to know that not getting the right amount of sleep is going to leave your immune system in a weakened state. When you aren’t sleeping enough, your body isn’t able to get the energy that it needs to fight off colds and diseases. You need to get enough sleep at night while eating a healthy diet to maintain your immune system properly. It’s dangerous to be sleep deprived for too long and it could lead to a much greater susceptibility to diseases.