Effects of One Night Without Sleep: If you do not get enough sleep at night, your body feels sluggish and heavy as soon as you wake up in the morning. The brain does not function properly and one often feels that one wishes one could go back to bed again. But until you sleep, your body keeps working harder internally to keep itself active. Losing sleep for one or two nights is not that dangerous, but if it becomes a habit then the effect can be serious. Continuous lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, affect mental health, periods can become irregular in women and the risk of heart attack and stroke also increases. Experts believe that even a slight lack of sleep triggers many reactions in the body, which increase with time.

How dangerous is not sleeping for 24 hours?

A research found that going without sleep for 24 hours has the same effect as drinking four glasses of wine or beer. At the same time, sleep-deprived teenagers eat about 210 calories more for every hour of less sleep the next day. That means lack of sleep directly affects weight and eating habits. When the alarm rings in the morning, you do not feel fresh at all after a sleepless night. Despite fatigue, the body tries to wake itself up forcefully, which can lead to a feeling of restlessness. The effect is also visible on the face; dark circles, swelling, red eyes and droopy eyelids can be seen under the eyes.

Cortisol hormone increases rapidly

Dr. David Garley, director of The Better Sleep Clinic, told METRO that “The effect of lack of sleep also depends on the person’s body clock i.e. chronotype. Night owls have more problems in the morning, while people who go to bed early feel more tired by evening.” About an hour after waking up, cortisol hormone increases rapidly in the body. This is called stress hormone, its effect is more if there is lack of sleep, which increases alertness for some time, but can also increase anxiety and weaken the immune system. By mid-morning, some people start feeling a little better, but many people start having brain fog, difficulty in concentrating and memory loss. Reaction time becomes slow and physical strength is also felt less. By afternoon one starts feeling more hungry. Lack of sleep activates hunger hormones, leading to cravings for carbs and sweets. But eating too heavy can make you more sluggish.

These things should be avoided

If you have had a bad night, you should avoid consuming excessive caffeine during the day. Eating proper and light food, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and things rich in Omega-3 are helpful. A light walk or exposure to sunlight helps in resetting the body clock. A short nap of 10 to 20 minutes can be taken, but sleeping for too long can be harmful. By evening and night, fatigue increases and irritability, restlessness and sadness may be felt. Prolonged lack of sleep can also increase the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and type-2 diabetes. Therefore, occasional poor sleep is acceptable, but if it is becoming a habit, then ignoring it can prove costly.

Also read: Thyroid patients should not eat these things even by mistake, if you want to avoid trouble then make a note.

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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