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Sleep Deprivation

More and more I hear and read about problems that occur due to sleep deprivation.

Shutting off your computer and TV at least an hour before bedtime, cutting off the caffeine early in the evening and keeping the bedroom cool and quiet will help you get a good night’s sleep; but it’s also important to sleep in as dark a room as possible. My husband used to work 3rd shift; and we always had light-blocking drapes on the bedroom windows.

Exposure to light reduces the level of melatonin in the brain. Melatonin is the hormone that makes you sleepy and is thought to protect the body against cancer. Light can be detected through your eyelids even if you’ve fallen asleep; and the brain won’t produce melatonin because it’s confused between night and day.

Glowing digital clocks, night lights, street lights and moonlight shining in the window can interrupt sleep. A sleep mask will cut out all those distractions.

Dreams and deep sleep (REM) allow the brain to process the information gathered during the day which will help you remember and use that information in the future.

Sleep helps your body do damage control brought on by stress and UV rays. Cells produce more protein during sleep and allow the body to make needed repairs. Quality sleep boosts creativity and increase athletic performance. Sleep enhances the attention span and aids in learning. A lack of sleep can lead to ADHD-like symptoms in children. If your child is having problems paying attention and learning in school, perhaps the first thing you should check is: Is my child getting enough sleep?

As If we don’t have enough problems losing weight, not getting enough sleep can lead to obesity. Lack of sleep can also lead to increased blood pressure, increased risk of diabetes, sensitivity to cold, decreased cognitive function, higher cholesterol levels, depression and increased risk of fibromyalgia. Lack of sleep can also lead to impaired judgment, errors and accidents.

People who get less than six hours of sleep a night have higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins which could lead to premature aging, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and diabetes.

It seems as though several times a year I read or hear about another problem occurring from lack of sleep. Bottom line – Do everything you can to get a good night’s sleep!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope this information was useful.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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Written by LindaOH

15 Comments

  1. I have problem with sleeping. Whether I sleep early or late, I will always wake up early in the morning even if I am not going to work. I think my brain and body are used to this sleep pattern.

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  2. I used to have a lot of problems with sleep after losing Dustin. Bad dreams did not help. It is a lot better but still have issues. Great article.

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  3. Great article. I have been sleep deprived ever since I worked full time evening (15:30 to 23:00) and 12 hours night shift (19:30 to 07:30) as an ex registered nurse. Of all my 21 years of nursing I worked maybe a big total of 3 months of day shift. Ever since then, my sleep patterns have been distrupted no matter what I do. And now, in my old age (64 years old), my sleep is basically wrecked up because of waking up with aches and pains despite a good mattress etc. But since I am getting on with age, I do not worry so much as my blood pressure is great still, my heart is still going strong and I am still able to work from home as a freelance translator and writer. My only little problem is my memory but I solve this by writing myself notes just about everywhere… I do understand though that sleep is important and that most people with the hectic lives that we live do not get enough…

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    • Having your sleep cycle disrupted can last for years after an unusual work schedule. I got on my husband’s 2nd and 3rd shift cycle; and now I can’t get off. Add to that it’s difficult to sleep once you get older; and it translates to a bad night’s sleep. Thank you for your comments.

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  4. This is a well written article and will certainly help those who have issues with sleep.

    I normally have hot milk with honey before getting to bed and assume it helps me

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