A sleep disorder is a condition which affects your ability to get enough quality sleep.
It is normal to have difficulties sleeping once in a while, but if you regularly have sleep disorders it can be really frustrating. Moreover, sleep deprivation increases the risk of developing serious health problems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 70 million adults in the USA have sleep disorders.
There are five stages of sleep. The first stage is the lightest, the second stage deeper sleep, stages 3 and 4 are progressively deeper stages of sleep, and stage 5 is the stage of dreaming. We need to have a deep sleep because at this stage your body gets restored from the activities and stress of the day.
So, getting a good night’s sleep is very important and you shouldn’t sleep just to get through the day. A lack of deep sleep is manifested through these symptoms.
Messy in the Morning
Waking up in the morning is really hard to you. Your feel tired in the morning and you lack energy. These are clear signs that you’ve had a bad night’s sleep. Sleepless nights are not the only problem. Lack of sleep causes health problems too.
Afternoon Naps
If you lack energy during the entire day, it means that you didn’t sleep well. Napping is good for your health, but if you are feeling sleepy during the entire day and you feel like you have to lie down, it is a sign of a bad night’s sleep. If you take a nap in the afternoon, and your brain goes through the deep stage of sleep, your night’s sleep can be even worse.
You Are Constantly Hungry
You can’t control food cravings which leads to weight gain. Short sleep has been associated with low leptin levels, and leptin is a hormone which regulates the food intake and body weight and controls your energy.
You Fall Asleep As Soon Your Head Hits the Pillow
Falling asleep too quickly is a clear sign that you need proper sleep. According to the Institute of Neurological Sleep Disorder and Stroke, falling asleep within several minutes shows chronic sleep deprivation.
Mood Swings
Your anxiety levels increase when you’re sleep deprived. Getting too little sleep can cause serious health problems such as depression, weight gain, and cardiovascular diseases.
You Forget Things
Your brain needs proper rest in order to function properly. Sleep deprivation affects your concentration and mental alertness.
Lower Libido
Insufficient sleep lowers testosterone levels, which results in a lack of sex drive.
Poor Immune System
Insufficient sleep increases the risk of catching a cold. According to a study, people who had 7-8 hours of sleep, were less likely to get sick.
Coffee Doesn’t Help
Usually, coffee helps you to wake up easily, but this time you still feel exhausted. It means that you’ve had improper sleep.
Clumsiness
Insufficient sleep hinders your motor skills and causes brain fog. This explains the reason why you can’t drive a car when you are not well rested. Driving makes you even more tired.
Acne
A good night’s sleep is important for your skin health. During the night, your skin repairs, and lack of sleep affects the moisture levels of your skin and collagen production.
Night Owl
Insufficient sleep affects your metabolism, so you have more energy before bedtime compared to your mornings, which is not normal.
What To Do?
Your body needs 7-8 hours of sleep. If these symptoms last for a longer period of time, consult your doctor. You may need melatonin supplement. It is a much better alternative than sleeping pills.
Thank you for reading.
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