Posted on January 11th, 2023.

Sleep matters – everyone knows that. And yet, many people delay going to bed on time because they are too busy. But neglecting sleep is detrimental to your health, even if, in the moment, it may seem productive. How you feel during the day depends on your sleep quality, and not getting enough rest impacts everything from your reactions to your learning and social abilities. Moreover, it also affects your immune system, heart, and more. On the contrary, good sleep reduces inflammation, helps you keep a healthy weight, and boosts your memory.

Are you getting enough sleep?

You may believe you’re getting adequate sleep but, in fact, be wrong about it. Maybe you’ve been getting used to poor sleep and don’t realize how it affects your well-being and health. How much sleep you need depends on your age, and experts suggest adults should sleep between 7-8 hours every night. But few follow this recommendation, leading to a sleep deficit that can damage their health and well-being.

Sleep deprivation has far-reaching consequences

Sleep deprivation happens when you don’t get the right amount of sleep and can be categorized differently based on an individual’s circumstances:

• Acute sleep deprivation – which refers to insufficient sleep for a short period;
• Chronic sleep deprivation - which lasts for three months or more;
• Chronic sleep deficiency – which means ongoing sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation occurs for different reasons, such as lifestyle choices, poor sleep hygiene, work duties, or medical issues. If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness and mood changes or have trouble focusing, you may be dealing with sleep deprivation. The effects of sleep deficiency are serious and shouldn’t be overlooked. For instance, acute sleep deprivation can lead to drowsy driving, translating into slowed reaction time, which can put your life at risk. Since sleep helps almost all of your body’s systems to function correctly, not getting enough rest for an extended period can lead to different health conditions:

• Diabetes;
• Cardiovascular disease;
• Hormonal abnormalities;
• Obesity;
• Pain;
• Immunodeficiency, etc.

According to studies, insufficient sleep also leads to a lower quality of life and increases the risk of death.

What if you have trouble sleeping?

It’s worth noting that sleep deprivation isn’t the same as experiencing sleep problems like insomnia. While the former happens because individuals don’t allocate enough time to sleep, the other means struggling to fall asleep even if you want to do so. Insomnia is linked with different factors, such as:

• Anxiety disorders;
• Recent life stressors, like losing your job or going through a divorce;
• Mood disorders like depression;
• Excessive caffeine use;
• Medical conditions like restless legs syndrome;
• Childhood developmental problems;
• Unstable home conditions.

If you struggle to sleep, there is likely an underlying cause, and it’s vital to talk to your healthcare provider. Your sleep may improve if you address the main culprit, whether it’s depression or stress. However, there are other things you can do that will help you get better sleep, such as creating a consistent sleep schedule and designing a bedroom environment that promotes rest. People often neglect the importance of the mattress and pillow when it comes to sleep, but bedding should always offer support and make you feel cozy at night. Thus, consider using a buckwheat pillow, as it can improve your sleep by helping you maintain the proper posture and regulate temperature.

Take action today to improve your sleep

As you can see, good sleep equals good health. Thus, you should put it at the top of your priorities list and take the right steps to improve it, like making changes in your sleep schedule, for example. And never neglect the importance of quality bedding, as this can go a long way in boosting your sleep quality.

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