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Warning Signs of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep, according to the Sea Room website, is a biological state necessary for our overall health. People spend approximately a third of their lives asleep, and the majority need a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night to feel sufficiently rested. Sleeping less than you need can result in sleep deprivation, which can be determined by a variety of unpleasant physical and mental warning signs and side effects.

  1. Mental Warning Signs

    • Several warning signs of sleep deprivation ffect individuals mentally. A lack of sleep can lead you to feel irritable, stressed and angry; you may find yourself getting upset over things that normally do not bother you. Sleep deprivation can lead to losing the ability to concentrate and focus, which can negatively impact your performance in the workplace. You may feel confused, that you are unable to communicate effectively with others. Loss of sleep can also impact the memory.

    Physical Warning Signs

    • Many physical warning signs of sleep deprivation can be very uncomfortable. Alongside a feeling of perpetual tiredness, you may experience headaches, dizziness and nausea. You may experience increases or decreases in appetite as well as a more haggard appearance, such as dark circles or bags underneath your eyes.

    Complications

    • The warning signs of sleep deprivation can lead to more severe complications. According to The Washington Post, failing to get enough sleep can increase the risk of illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and obesity. And as noted, sleep deprivation can impact the appetite and The Washington Post states that individuals who get less sleep may be more likely to be obese than those who sleep enough.

    Management

    • The Sea Room website recommends indulging in frequent naps between 20 and 90 minutes long to ward off the unpleasant signs of sleep deprivation. Avoid medications and drugs that have a sedating effect, such as alcohol, motion sickness and antihistamine medications and tranquilizers. During the periods you must be awake, eat small amounts of carbohydrates, which give the body energy, while avoiding protein, which, as listed on the Sea Room website, the body must expend energy to break down.

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