The dangers of sleep deprivation

 College students are well-known for never getting enough sleep.  In fact, many students are proud of their ability to function well on hardly any sleep at all.  However, this “accomplishment” can have dangerous results:

1.  Increased Chance of Diabetes

Sleeping less can create long-term health problems.  A 2005 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people getting five or fewer hours of sleep on average each night were 2.5 times more likely to be diabetic, while those with six hours or fewer were 1.7 times more likely. 

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2.  Causes You to Miss Breakfast

Because your hormonal cycle is damaged by lack of sleep, you will wake up in the morning tired, but not hungry for breakfast.  Missing breakfast will slow your metabolism, lower your energy levels, disturb your eating habits, and possibly make you gain weight (because of eating more at lunch).

3.  Makes You Gain Weight

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In addition to adding weight indirectly by making you miss breakfast, lack of sleep can also directly cause weight gain.  In order to keep you awake, your sleepy body will release an excessive amount of stress hormones which make you more alert… and tell your body to store fat.  Even if you have the best eating and exercise habits, this hormone will make you continue to gain weight.

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4.  Increased Physical Pain

Numerous aches and pains are the direct result of sleep deficiency.  While you sleep, your body repairs itself, but if you sleep too little, it will not have time to completely rejuvenate your body.  This will make your body sore, as well as decreasing your ability to build muscles.

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5.  Lack of Sleep is...Intoxicating?

Studies have shown that pulling all-nighters (or going without sleep for more than 17 hours) can cause a reaction comparible to that of an intoxicated person with a blood alcohol reading of more than .05.  This means that your thinking skills will be impaired – making it dangerous to drive… as well as damaging your ability to score well on tests.


Source:  http://www.campusgrotto.com/how-much-should-college-students-sleep.html


(c)Robyn King 2012-2015.  All Rights Reserved.