When I read this article this morning. I thought it would ring a bell with many of my readers here at The Sweet Diabetic. Sleep is essential to our health and there are many of us who simply don't get enough because of the stress in our lives.
Here is the article ...
via stress.about.com
Stress and Sleep Deprivation Causes, Effects, Prevention and Management of
Sleep Deprivation
By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com Guide
Updated March 15, 2010
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Sleep deprivation has many effects. Here's how to get better sleep.
Photo from iStockPhoto.comPrevalence of Sleep Deprivation
Are you getting enough sleep? If you’re like many people, you’re no stranger to sleep deprivation. According to a sleep poll1 of about 15,000 respondents on this site, around half of my readers are getting 6 or fewer hours of sleep per night, which can put them in a state of sleep deprivation.
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
If you’re reading this having gotten less sleep than you wish you did last night, you may also find yourself more stressed than you could be. Studies on sleep show that those who get significantly less than the optimal 7.5-8.5 hours each night may be operating under a sleep deficit, and may be prone to the following and more:- Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairment
- Motor Skill Impairment
- Emotional Irritability
- Weight Gain
- Weakened Immunity
Stress and Sleep Deprivation
Most of these factors can lead to greater stress: being less mentally sharp at work can jeopardize your performance at work and potentially cause problems on the job; getting sick more often puts you under pressure and additional stress; experiencing emotional reactivity can cause conflict with co-workers, family and friends; being more prone to accidents obviously has its own set of dangers. More than just being tired throughout the day, not getting enough sleep can color your whole day and subtly but pervasively create more stress.Combating Sleep Deprivation
If you find yourself wishing you’d gotten more sleep last night, and an honest look at your lifestyle reveals that lack of adequate sleep is a common occurrence, some changes should probably be made. You may try one or more of the following:- Find More Time For Sleep
Often the cause of sleep deprivation is simple overscheduling. It’s difficult to find time for all the things we do these days, and sleep is often the first item on our schedule that gets sacrificed when we get too busy. See these life plan2 strategies for finding better balance. - Create Sleep-Promoting Habits
Sometimes we have habits in our lifestyle that can sabotage our sleep without our realizing it. That’s why building better sleep habits3 into one’s schedule is so important and effective in combating sleep deprivation. - Cultivate a Sleep-Friendly State of Mind
If you’ve found yourself losing sleep over a conflict or stressor you’re experiencing in life, you’re not alone—most of us have been there at one time or another I think. Try a mindfulness meditation4 or one of these tips to clear your mind5. - Manage Stress in Your Life
Sometimes it’s just general stress that affects our sleep—our body’s stress response gets triggered and stays triggered, and our body’s systems get out of balance, resulting in sleep problems. Get ongoing support for stress management by following my Stress Management Blog6, subscribing to the free weekly newsletter7, and put what you’ve learned into practice. It could change your life.
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