The effects of sleep deprivation

Although occasional sleep interruptions are generally no more than a nuisance and having the odd late night won't cause any long term damage, an ongoing lack of sleep and the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation is linked to many serious conditions including obesity, depression, cardiovascular disease, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and an overall lowered quality of life.

When the brain does not get the energy it requires from sleep, this will be the time when willpower deserts you and you find yourself reaching for the biscuit tin or using caffeine and fizzy sugary drinks to give you a quick hit rather than opting for healthy alternatives to temporarily boost flagging energy levels.

Sleep deprivation causes people to become over-reactive to emotional stimuli, resulting in being overwhelmed by deadlines and commitments which you were previously able to take in your stride. Emotions such as anxiety, anger, depression and tearfulness can also be a consequence of having less than seven hours sleep a night.

Lack of restorative sleep can also lead to becoming clumsy and more accident-prone, as there is a lapse in neurological function. Memory recall, concentration and the inability to make decisions can also be affected. Furthermore insomnia eventually leads to the immune system being compromised as the body increasingly becomes less adept at fighting off infections, making you more susceptible to developing illnesses such as colds and flu.

Sleep plays a critical role in thinking, learning and retaining information. Sleep deprivation can seriously affect all areas of life both at home and in the workplace to the point where there is a loss of drive, determination to achieve, affecting organisation, ambition and creativity.

While some sleeping problems have an obvious cause, others may not. There are various approaches to treating sleeping issues and it is important you speak to your GP to eliminate any underlying medical causes.

Hypnotherapy is a treatment that many people find effective. It can tackle any potential causes, while helping you to relax and fall asleep easier and enabling you to have a more restful sleep. For example, if anxiety is the source of your insomnia, hypnosis can help to overcome these issues. Alternatively if a habit is causing your insomnia, such as excessive alcohol consumption; hypnotherapy can work to break this habit.

If you suffer from sleep deprivation, contact me for more information on how I can help you. I offer a free no obligation consultation.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author. All articles published on Hypnotherapy Directory are reviewed by our editorial team.

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Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2BB
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Written by Linda Thaper
(Adv) D. Hyp. MAPHP
location_on Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2BB
Linda Thaper is an advanced, accredited and registered hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and life coach specialising in self esteem issues, relationship issues, health, weight loss, stress, anxiety, pain management, motivation and confidence. Call Li...
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