Health Risks Of Sleep Deprivation

Reduces Cognitive Function

Sleep deprivation vastly reduces cognitive function by impairing attention and memory. It is difficult for individuals to keep prolonged attention on a task if they're nodding off. Even when they think they are focused, they will be more likely to miss little details. Living on little sleep reduces the ability to learn well, since sleep is when the body rejuvenates itself and the brain solidifies the information taken in throughout the day. It takes longer to solve problems or think critically, and managing emotions is more difficult. If individuals have to choose between preparing for an exam or work presentation and getting enough sleep, they should always go for sleep.

Can Contribute to Depression

Depression is a psychological disorder characterized by chronic, long-term feelings of hopelessness. It comes with a host of other unpleasant symptoms like fatigue, poor eating habits, and sleep problems. Whether it be hypersomnia, a disorder in which the affected individual sleeps too much, or insomnia, where the patient sleeps too little, both have been associated with depression. Sleep deprivation and depression have always had a close relationship. Although it is unclear which one causes which, trouble sleeping can greatly contribute to depression. Without proper rest, increased levels of stress hormones, like cortisol, make the body tense and moods irritable. Lack of sufficient rest further adds to the lethargy seen in depression, making it more difficult to do activities needed to get out of a depressive state, like exercise or hang out with loved ones. The emotional instability caused by sleep deprivation can exacerbate the negative feelings of depression.