Most people don’t get enough sleep. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, more than a third of adults in the United States report that they usually get less than seven hours of sleep a night. And while you may think that skimping on a little shut-eye won’t hurt, you’d be wrong. Lack of sleep can lead to all sorts of health problems, as we are going to see in this article.
What if you already get plenty of sleep – eight or nine hours per night – and still feel tired? You may be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from a sleep disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 70 different types of sleep disorders, ranging from insomnia to narcolepsy.
Understanding sleep
Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. During sleep, the body rests and repairs itself. The brain also processes information and strengthens memories. When we don’t get enough sleep, we can experience problems with concentration, decision-making, and memory. We’re also more likely to get sick and injure ourselves.
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for people who are struggling with a mental health disorder. Mental health disorders can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep and can lead to daytime fatigue. A good night’s sleep can help improve mood, energy level, and focus.
What happens to your body when you sleep?
When you sleep, your body enters a state of relaxation. This allows your brain to process information and memories from the day and to rest and repair itself. During sleep, your heart rate slows, and your blood pressure drops. Your breathing becomes regular and deep.
The different stages of sleep play an important role in restoring the body. In the early stages of sleep, the body repairs tissue damage and strengthens the immune system. In the later stages of sleep, growth hormones are released, which help to restore energy levels and promote muscle growth.
What are the most common sleep disorders?
There are more than 70 different types of sleep disorders, but the seven most common ones are:
Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders, affecting an estimated 30 to 50 percent of adults. It is defined as the inability to fall or stay asleep, or the inability to get restful sleep. Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, and depression; caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine use; and environmental factors like noise and light.
If you think you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, it is important to see a doctor so that you can receive treatment. Treatment options vary depending on the type of sleep disorder, but often include medication and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes – such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, establishing a regular sleep schedule, and exercising regularly – can help improve sleep quality for people with sleep disorders.
My boyfriend and I, literally, were just talking about not being able to sleep last night! We are both so frustrated and cranky. It’s definitely something important we need to deal with. This is great info.
You definitely need to deal with that, Thank you for your contribution Nikki
Great info here. Sleep is so important! Thanks for sharing your insights 🙂
You are welcome Karen, we hope to see you again
I didn’t realize how many negative consequences there are due to a lack of sleep! Thank you so much for this helpful and informative post.
Thank you Jenna, sleep is very important to our overall health. We should always try our best to have sufficient sleep.
I can relate well to this blog post. Thank you for sharing it.
You are welcome Dan
My issue is that my head is so full of everything, it has trouble emptying the thoughts enough to go to sleep. This only started when I became a blogger!
Sorry to hear that Susan, try to take things slowly. I hope you get better soon
My insomnia has been horrible lately. Like 4 and 5 in the morning horrible. I’ll finally crash but then have to get back up at 6 to get the kids to school. Its been rough but i’ll definitely be trying some of these tips thank you.
Very sorry to hear that Arnetta, I hope you get better soon
I can tell today I am behind on my sleep
Better try to keep a consistent sleeping schedule