The answer to the question, “am I getting enough sleep” is probably a resounding ”no”.

In today’s busy times any form of inactivity, including sleep, is often viewed as laziness. This perception means people are sleeping less than they should. In fact, in some states, as much as 44% of the population is not getting enough sleep.

However, rest is essential for good mental and physical health. Your life depends on getting enough sleep. Here’s why.

How to Know the Answer to “Am I Getting Enough Sleep”

The belief that people need 8 hours of sleep a day is a well-known but incorrect assumption. While 8 hours is a good guideline, not everybody needs the same amount of sleep.

For example, teenagers need at least 9 hours of sleep. Recent studies published in the Wall Street Journal suggest that 7 is the magic number for adults. Another study revealed that

So, how do you know how much sleep is right for you?

If you’re experiencing some of the following symptoms, chances are you’re not getting enough sleep:

• Irritability and moodiness
• Depression or lack of motivation
• Difficulty focussing and learning new concepts
• Clumsiness
• Carbohydrate cravings
• Diminished sex drive

These common sleep deprivation symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg. Lack of sleep can have serious consequences for your health too.

1. Lack of Sleep and Obesity Go Hand in Hand

It makes sense that when you’re tired your body tries to conserve energy, hence the carbohydrate cravings. You’re also less likely to exercise when you feel depressed and demotivated.

It’s also easy to see that a combination of these factors can lead to weight gain but there’s more.

2. Less Sleep = Increased Appetite

Ghrelin and leptin are two hormones that control feelings of hunger and fullness respectively. When you’re asleep, leptin levels increase and ghrelin levels go down.

Missing out on a few hours of sleep disrupts this balance, so you’ll feel hungrier than usual and eat more. The more you eat, the more your body clings to this energy, storing it as fat.

3. Too Little Sleep Affects Your Heart

Too much body fat, especially around your vital organs comes with a host of health problems like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

A 2011 study by Warwick University found that lack of sleep also contributes directly to coronary heart disease and stroke. When you sleep, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease.

Too little sleep and your body will activate chemicals that keep your heart rate extended for long periods of time, increasing your risk of getting heart conditions.

4. Sleeping Too Little Puts You at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Irregular sleep patterns affect the natural rhythm of insulin production in your body. It also causes unnatural levels of cortisol, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and testosterone.

All of these factors, along with obesity, increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

5.  Your Immune System Needs Sleep

While you’re asleep, your body increases its production of cytokines, which is a type of protein that prevents infection and inflammation.

Too little sleep means fewer cytokines and a greater risk of contracting influenza and other inflammatory ailments.

6. Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Productivity

While you’re asleep, your brain reboots and prepares itself for the next day’s action.

In fact, studies have shown that lack of sleep impacts the brain in the same way as alcohol consumption does. You wouldn’t go to work after a couple of drinks, would you?

Likewise, it’s not a good idea to operate heavy machinery, make important decisions, or drive a car when you’ve had a bad night’s sleep.

7. The Psychological Impact of Sleep Deprivation

Nobody is in a good mood when they haven’t had enough high-quality sleep and continued sleep deprivation can have serious mental effects.

Disrupted sleep can lead to emotional changes, anxiety, and clinical depression. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, sleep deprivation is common in almost all psychiatric disorders.

The double whammy is that the more anxious you are, the more likely you’ll be to have trouble falling asleep. Likewise, the less sleep you get, the more anxious you’ll be.

It’s important to deal with psychological issues before they start to affect your physical health too.

Causes of Poor Quality Sleep

Unfortunately, getting enough sleep isn’t your golden ticket to good health. Quality counts too.

High quality sleep consists of three stages that follow each other in succession. If you wake up during one of these stages, you go back to square one. Too many disruptions mean your body can’t complete this routine effectively.

Sleep apnea is a major contributor to sleep deprivation. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing for a few seconds at a time while asleep, which in turn wakes you.

Most sleep apnea sufferers don’t remember waking up, which means the situation can continue for years until serious health conditions arise.

Fortunately, there are many good sleep apnea treatment centers that can help you work through this common problem.

Some of the other factors that can cause you to wake up during the night include noise, light, worry, frequent urination, pain, and allergies.

You can resolve most of these issues yourself with simple fixes like:

• Using blackout drapes to make your bedroom totally dark
• Taking medication for your allergies or pain well before bedtime
• Avoiding consumption of liquids for at least an hour before you go to bed
• Making time for a period of relaxation or meditation before going to bed

No matter what’s behind your poor sleep habits, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of rest.

It’s imperative to get medical or psychological help if you’re not sleeping well.

More Information About Optimum Health

Asking questions like, “am I getting enough sleep” and “am I getting enough exercise” are the first steps towards a healthier life.

You’ll find the answers to these and more questions on our blog. Keep reading for more tips on fighting fat and improving your overall health.