How a Sleepless Night Affects Your Body

Unfortunately, we all suffer from sleepless nights from time-to-time. But how do our bodies actually function without adequate sleep? We did some research into the science of sleep to find out!

You’re more prone to illness

Not getting enough hours of sleep at night lowers your body’s immune system, making it easier for you to get ill. In fact, sleep deprivation has been linked to serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. When you sleep, your body releases hormones that encourage growth and repair along with white blood cells which work to attack viruses. Skimp on sleep and your body won’t be able to fight off illness or repair injuries as well.

You can’t think straight

Sleep plays a significant role in creating memories and processing new information. Therefore, missing just one night’s sleep can lead you to fogged thinking. Brain functions such as decision-making, reasoning and reaction time are impaired and you’re left feeling a little slow and irritable. In contrast, having a good night’s sleep can actually make you more creative as your brain is more alert.

You can gain weight

People who regularly don’t get enough sleep are more likely to gain weight. This is mainly due to the temptation to over-eat when we are tired. Sleep also regulates your hunger hormones, leptin and ghrelin, which get out of sync when you don’t get a full night’s sleep. That is not to say that you will lose weight just from getting a good night’s rest, but that you are less likely to make unhealthy food choices when you are awake. Take care of your sleep and you’ll find it much easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Your looks are affected

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason! When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies produce a stress hormone called cortisol. This causes the natural collagen in your skin to be broken down – increasing fine lines and making your skin look dull. Scary stuff! A short spell of sleep will also mean the body has less chance to repair any skin damage overnight. Get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night to keep you looking glowing and youthful!

You might feel fractious

The fact that people feel grouchy when they’re low on sleep isn’t exactly breaking news. However, the reason for this change in mood is down to the increase in the stress hormone cortisol. That teamed with lowered brain functions such as memory and decision making can all lead to us feeling a bit irritable. Help yourself and those around you by making sure you get enough zzz’s!