Effects of Not Having a Proper Sleep

Compiled and written by Ananya, Aria, Ayana, Diya, and Maya.

About one in six fatal car crashes involves a drowsy driver, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — yet sleep deprivation is treated lightly.

An occasional night without sleep makes you tired and irritated, but it will not affect your health. However, if lack of sleep continues, it can affect your overall health and make you prone to conditions such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other mental-health concerns. A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness, and weight changes.

Sleep is important for many aspects of brain function — concentration, efficiency, and performance are all negatively affected by sleep deprivation.

For example, a landmark Harvard study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that interns on traditional schedules with extended shifts of more than 24 hours made 36% more serious medical errors than interns on schedules that allowed more sleep. On the other hand, good sleep has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and enhance memory performance in both children and adults.

Researchers have also found that sleep deprivation disrupts how brain cells communicate — which can cause temporary lapses affecting memory and visual perception. Studies have compared the impairment from a full night without sleep to functioning with a blood-alcohol level near the legal driving limit.

The next time you're up at night watching a movie or out partying, remember your body is not liking it. Be mindful of your body's need for sleep.

This article is general information, not medical advice.