Getting a good night’s sleep goes beyond just avoiding being tired the next day. In fact, without adequate sleep — which for the average adult is defined as getting at least seven hours per night — we are putting every physiological system in our bodies at risk.
As we age our sleeping habits change. Four in ten older Australians have a daily 30-minute nap, and as our body clock changes the lower levels of melatonin in the body mean many find it difficult to get off to sleep. With one in four older Australians suffering from sleep apnoea, and a recent study revealing that only 45 per cent of Australian adults are satisfied with their sleep, it’s important that sleep is on your health agenda.
But determining the quality of your sleep isn’t always as simple as counting the number of hours you get a night. There are many signs that your body isn’t getting enough rest.
When our bodies don’t get enough quality sleep it can be harder to think clearly, remember information and be productive. This is because when we sleep, information and memories are transferred from short-term to long-term which enables higher levels of mindfulness, creativity and problem-solving abilities.
If you’re struggling to shake that cold or finding you’re more susceptible to getting sick, it could be your body telling you to get more rest. Recent studies show that individuals who aren’t getting enough sleep are more prone to viral exposure like the common cold.
When our bodies are sleep deprived, so is our brain’s capacity. Insufficient sleep can strongly affect the prefrontal cortex, our decision-making part of the brain. Without quality sleep, our emotional processing tends to check out. This can make us more susceptible to impulsivity and risk-taking.
While we may be more impulsive, which can lead to poor food choices, evidence also shows that the hormones that control appetite can also be affected in sleep-deprived people. When the body runs off less sleep, often it does not metabolise glucose correctly, which can lead to higher blood sugar levels and increased fat stores.
Waking up on the wrong side of the bed is actually a valid sign of sleep deprivation. According to statistics from the Harvard Medical School, being sleep deprived can negatively affect your mood and outlook, making you more vulnerable to irritability and being hyper-critical.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.