ASK THE TRAINER: Dangers of sleep deprivation
How important is sleep to you? Today we put more and more demands on ourselves and take on more responsibility than we are able to handle. As a result we burn our candle at both ends to get everything done. Although scientists do not fully understand why we sleep they do know sleep is as important and breathing. Staying up late to meet a deadline may not have detrimental effects, but long term lack of sleep can lead to health deterioration and can play havoc on your mind. But what happens after chronic sleep deprivation?
>> Rejuvenating: Sleep is when our bodies repair from all the harmful exposures during the day. The body actually repairs itself on the cellular level during sleep.
>> Reduce inflammation: Sleep deprivation can lead to illness because the body has little time to repair all the damage we have done during the day. Chronic high levels of inflammation in the body can lead to heart disease and stroke. Normal sleep patterns can also help keep blood pressure and cholesterol in normal ranges.
>> Balances hormones: Sleep allows our bodies to release melatonin and serotonin, the feel good hormones and lower the levels of adrenaline and cortisol, the stress hormones.
>> Controls weight gain: Researchers believe a lack of sleep leads to imbalances of the hormones ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin stimulates hunger and leptin tells the brain when you are full. If these two hormones are out of whack this leads to uncontrollable hunger and over eating. Making things worse this pattern can lead to a chronic high blood sugar levels and a risk of Type 2 diabetes. Chronic tiredness can also lead to depression as a result of “comfort eating.” Usually comfort foods are highly processed and are high in sugar and fat.
>> Improves memory: When we sleep the brain organizes memories. If you are trying to learn something new take the old advice and “sleep on it.” I do this often in the gym. When I am teaching a new exercise that is difficult for an individual, we do it a few times and then leave it until the next session. The next time the person almost always can perform the move more easily because the brain had time to “catch up.”
>> Controls emotions: Studies have shown long term lack of sleep can lead to depression and mood disorders. Just like children, adults can become agitated and moody with lack of sleep.
Next week we will talk about tips for getting a good night of restful sleep.
