Sleep Deprivation is majorly not getting enough sleep that a person requires. The more continuous it is, the more stressful it becomes. It can be due to recent changes like marriage, job, or any other stressors. Mostly a person will feel more tired, more stressed, lack of attentiveness, delayed reaction and it may or may not lead to depression or other health related issues.
Why do we need Sleep?
Sleep makes your body feel refreshed and it actively engages your mind as well. It is a necessity for our brain to function properly. One may also start to develop a sort of tolerance for lack of sleep and they may not be aware of it as it starts to feel normal to them after a certain amount of time. Strokes are more common while you are having Sleep Deprivation.
How Much Sleep do we need?
Sleep requirements differ from age to age. An infant may sleep more than an adult. Here is an average of sleep requirement for a human.
| Age Group | Age Range | Recommended amount of Sleep |
| Infant | 4 – 12 months | 12 – 16 hours |
| Toddler | 1 – 2 years | 11 – 14 hours |
| Preschool | 3 – 5 years | 10 – 13 – hours |
| School age | 6 – 12 years | 9 – 12 hours |
| Teen | 13 – 18 years | 8 – 10 hours |
| Adult | 18 years and older | 7 hours or more |
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
It can be classified in two stages. One being the effect during the initial stage and the other during the severe stages.
During the initial stage Sleep Deprivation can cause :
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Lack of attentiveness
- Reduced Physical Strength
During the more severe stage Sleep Deprivation can cause:
- Increased risk of depression
- Mental Illness
- Mood Swings
- Increases chances of Strokes, Heart attack
How to Treat Sleep Deprivation?
During the initial stages it can be treated with mild therapy, self-care strategies, maintaining distance from the identified stressors. These are some steps that can be taken so that you dont take medicines. Exercising so that you are tired and can sleep more peacefully.
However during the severe stage light therapy or medicines are often prescribed by doctors. It is well recommended that if you are feeling that you are continuously sleep deprived take action to consult a doctor before taking any medication on your own.
How Do we know we are Suffering?
One will know that they are suffering from sleep deprivation if they are suffering from the above-mentioned effects. You may also suffer from microsleeps that is sleeping for brief period of time while being awake.
Being restless and having increased irritability or lack of tolerance to small things are some of the other signs of Sleep Deprivation.
TAKE CARE
All in all take a step towards your active wellbeing, If you are feeling you are sleep deprived, you will be first one to know it and you can be the first one to take necessary steps to orevent it as well. Know that if you are well only then you will be able to take care of people around you
If you liked this post, also check out my other posts on mindfulness and health and a healthy diet . Click Here
Happy Reading!
