How a lack of sleep affects your life

There’s no question that sleep plays a significant role in all aspects of our lives, from our relationships, performance at work and school to our overall health. But what happens when we don’t get enough of it? Studies have shown that when we don’t get a sufficient amount of sleep, we are more prone to accidents and errors, and can be more susceptible to mood swings and irritability.

Shift workers are more likely to be sleep-deprived due to their work hours. These hardworking night owls can include everyone from doctors, pilots, security personal and more, whose jobs consist of making quick decisions that can affect the lives of those around them. With limited sleep, judgment can become clouded and decision-making skills can be impaired.

Among college students, 70 percent do not get adequate amounts of sleep on a regular basis. Because college is an important time for many students, filled with opportunities to make life-altering personal and career decisions, not getting enough sleep can put students at a disadvantage by affecting not only the choices they make, but also their grades. Not getting enough sleep impacts memory, test-taking and overall performance.

Lack of sleep also affects our emotional stability. Unfortunately, when it does, it can cause a debilitating cycle. Insufficient sleep has been linked to a 10-fold risk of developing depression, and depression can be a contributing factor to lack of sleep.

Thankfully, with the advances made in sleep medicine and help from sleep specialists, you can easily begin getting the sleep you deserve. To learn more about overcoming issues that can be causing you to lose sleep, call our FusionSleep office in Atlanta to schedule an appointment today. Our board-certified sleep specialists can be reached at (678) 990-3962.