How can sleep deprivation affect your health?

Sleep deprivation isn’t just uncomfortable — it can also be deadly

As any parent of a newborn baby will tell you, nothing is worse than sleep deprivation. It can spoil the whole day, leaving you feeling groggy, achy, and upset.

Additionally, not getting enough sleep can also be detrimental to your health. Read on to find out more about the health impact of a poor night’s sleep, and discover a solution to improving both sleep and wellness.

Don’t do yourself harm by depriving your body of sleep. Instead, give yourself the best shot at a restful slumber by investing in a quality mattress. Let our team at Sleep Republic can help. Check out our incredible hybrid mattresses, and head off to the Land of Nod.

How much sleep do you need to stay healthy and functional?

Different people need different amounts of sleep to function, and we all need different lengths of sleep as we get older. A newborn baby, for example, might require around 17 hours sleep, while a school aged child might need between 8 and 11 hours.

Typically, adults require between 7 and 9 hours sleep. There are exceptional cases — people who function optimally on more or less sleep than that — but 7 to 9 hours is the typical recommended range. With less than 7 hours sleep, you might start to notice the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation causes cognitive and mental health issues

Sleep deprivation can cause a host of different cognitive and emotional issues. Studies suggest that not getting enough sleep can hamper brain activity and functioning, resulting in a lack of alertness and decrease in the functionality of memory. Additionally, not getting enough sleep can increase the level of stress hormones in the brain, reducing new cell production.

Sleep deprivation makes life more dangerous

With reduced attention and working memory, otherwise safe activities can be much more dangerous for people who are sleep deprived. For example, driving becomes much more dangerous. Studies show that, in terms of impact on your driving, sleep deprivation is similar to having a raised blood alcohol level. Tired drivers make mistakes and miscalculations that they would be less likely to make had they benefited from adequate sleep.

Blood pressure issues can occur when you don’t get enough sleep

Sleep deprivation isn’t just unpleasant, it can also have longer lasting health impacts. Studies indicate that there is a link between health conditions (like high blood pressure and hypertension) and bad sleep (insufficient sleep duration and poor quality sleep).

Keep your immune system strong by getting enough sleep

Scientists have shown that sleep deprivation is associated with immunodeficiency. There is evidence to suggest that your immune system is compromised if you’re not getting enough sleep. Conversely, people who get plentiful sleep are less likely to catch colds, and tend to have stronger immune systems.

What mattress is best for a good night’s sleep?

There are many reasons that a person might suffer from sleep deficiency, like circumstantial factors (noisy neighbours or family members), irregular working hours, or issues like insomnia.

A big reason that people suffer from sleep deficiency is discomfort. There are a number of reasons why a person might experience discomfort when trying to sleep. For example, they might either be on an uncomfortable mattress, or be sleeping on a mattress which seems comfortable, but which provides insufficient support that causes back and neck pain.

To consistently get enough sleep and avoid the negative consequences of sleep deprivation, it is important to have a mattress that is both comfortable and also offers the right amount of support for your muscles and joints. That’s why our team at Sleep Republic has devised a hybrid mattress, with foam for comfort and springs for support.

Improve your health by getting Sleep Republic’s award-winning mattresses delivered direct your door. It’s a risk-free investment: we offer a 100 night trial, because we’re so sure you’ll love it.