Sleep Deprivation? What Do You Get?

You don't have enough sleep and you're tired.

Ask yourself this: "Do I purposely deprive myself of sleep?"

OK, you're busy,busy, busy......

So you stinge on your sleep, thinking that sleep isn't important and is a waste of time since you've way too much to do.....

Maybe you're one who thrive on the fact that you can function superbly with as little as 1-2 hour of sleep.

Or worse still, you've no qualm at all trading-in sleep for extra hours of fun (computer games, watching movie on TV, chit-chatting on cell phones, etc.).

And if you're a new Mum or Dad, you really don't have much say in how much sleep you can get, do you?

That and you who suffer from sleep disorder, same fate.

So it might seem we've valid reasons to deprive ourselves of sleep and each one has varied sleep needs?

We pull-in all the quick fixes we can lay our hands on - drinking cups after cups of coffee, taking cat naps, going for a burst of fresh air to boost our energy.........to what?  To keep awake!

All these go to show our classic ways of treating sleep - not important.

Come on, let's face it - have you ever thought of sleep as necessary and important to your health?

More like you don't, right?

Maybe you would think: "What's the big deal if I don't sleep enough? I still perform and in fact can do more things because I sleep less" etc.,etc.,etc.,...........

But sleep experts reveal that insufficient sleep or sleep deprivation can affect many aspects of your life, such as:

<ul>

<li> Decreased job performance </li>

<li> Decreased exercise performance </li>

<li> Decreased mental alertness </li>

<li> Decreased memory and cognitive function </li>

<li> Increased moodiness and irritable emotions</li>

<li> Heightened stress and tension</li>

<li> Increased incidents of road accidents - Ah.... because you sleep at your wheels</li>

<li> Increased risk of occupational injury due to workers nodding off while doing work </li>

</ul>

Many research studies relating to sleep deprivation and its effect on our health have found these findings:

<ul>

<li> Increased risk of breast and colon cancers, diabetes and heart diseases. This connects to the production of Melatonin, a hormone secreted by your pineal gland, which controls and regulates your sleep as well as protects you against cancer by affecting production of other hormones (e.g. estrogen). As you're exposed to light (when not sleeping), your secretion of Melatonin is less, hence increasing your risk of cancers </li>

<li> Causes weight gain and obesity - if you sleep less than 7 hours per night, you might have a higher body mass index (BMI) and probably obese compared to one who sleeps 7 hours or more. This traces back to the fact that sleep deprivation upsets endocrine, metabolic and immune function </li>

<li> Brings higher mortality risk than high blood pressure, heart disease and smoking </li>

</ul>

You now know it pays to snoo......z....e?!

OK, OK, OK,........You're horrified after knowing all these health hazards and risks........

Basically, sleep deprivation by itself doesn't affect directly your health; it's the mulfunctions it aids to accelerate or trigger in your otherwise healthy body, that's frightening.

Do you still want to sleep less for reasons only know to yourself? I bet you would reconsider doing it now that you know sleep deprivation is bad for your health.

Every one of us needs 7 hours or more sleep per night, for better health and bodily functions. No excuse.

Here's a few good tips to help you snooze through the night soundly:

<ul>

<li> Sleep and wake up at the same time everyday, even on days off, weekends and holidays </li>

<li> Sleep in total darkness to promote secretion of the hormone - Melatonin. The more Melatonin you secrete, the sounder and deeper your sleep </li>

<li> Use your bed for sleep only, not other non-sleep related activities such as reading, watching TV, chit-chatting on your cells, doing work.....</li>

<li> Cease all computer-related work 2 hours before bedtime, to lessen the effect of e-smog (electronic-related emissions) which reportedly can disrupt your sleep </li>

<li> Exercise regularly 3-4 times per week, to promote deeper, sounder sleep </li>

<li> Avoid tea,coffee and sugared soft drinks near bedtime as the caffeine and sugar in them interfere with your sleep </li>

</ul>

Hey, get more sleep, please!

Cecelia Yap is a seasoned exerciser who walks the talk concerning exercise.

Her passion is exercise, fitness and eating right.

She shows you what works and what doesn't at her website: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com

You wanna enjoy deper, sounder sleep? Here's the insightful information on how  exercise promotes this type of quality sleep for you: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com/natural-sleep-aids.html