Not getting enough sleep for a day or two is not a matter of concern, but if you do not get enough sleep every day, it can cause many health problems. Lack of sleep not only causes fatigue but also has psychological effects. Therefore, it is very important to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily. Here’s what sleeping less than 7 hours a day does to your brain and how it is affected.
Lack of sleep causes the emotional alarm system to become more reactive. It becomes 60% more reactive, which leads to more intense emotions, increased irritability, increased anxiety and increased emotional sensitivity.
stress increases
Poor sleep, or simply lack of sleep, increases cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone. Its increase increases stress. Over time, not only worry but also anxiety, mood swings and burnout start affecting the person.
The capacity of the prefrontal cortex begins to decrease
The prefrontal cortex of the brain is responsible for decision making, impulse control and rational thinking. When there is lack of sleep, a person starts having difficulty focusing, memory becomes weak, the ability to take decisions decreases, and the mind does not remain clear. In simple words, brain function starts decreasing.
Emotional memories cannot be processed
Sleep improves emotional experiences, and lack of sleep has the exact opposite effect. Lack of sleep increases emotional buildup, and a person becomes more emotionally disturbed, which means he is unable to control his emotions.
Why are sleep problems happening?
More and more people are having sleep related problems. A major reason for this could be scrolling on your phone screen for hours before sleeping. The blue light emitted from your phone reduces melatonin production, which can lead to insomnia. This increases work pressure and the habit of overthinking at night increases. This causes mental fog, irritability and sleeplessness for hours.
What to do to sleep on time
Stop using your phone one to one and a half hours before sleeping.
Dim the room lights and avoid serious conversations at bedtime.
Reduce exposure to blue light.
To calm your mind, you can write down your thoughts in a diary before sleeping.
Avoid taking caffeine in the evening.
Avoid drinking too much water before sleeping, as it can prevent sleep.
If you’re having trouble sleeping well or staying asleep for long periods of time, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
