Sleep was important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Poor sleep is often linked with many health problems, such as weight gain, mood disorders, and even dementia.
A 2022 study published in BMJ Open suggests that poor sleep is also linked to higher risk for developing glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Another 2023 study published in Harvard Health highlighted that people who had unhealthy sleep patterns (those who snored, experienced daytime sleepiness, had insomnia, slept less than seven hours per night, or slept more than nine hours per night) were more likely to develop glaucoma than people who had healthy sleep patterns.
Another study published in 2024 revealed that people who sleep less than six hours a night have a much higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
Why sleep is important for your body?
There are lots of reasons why you need sleep, Cleveland Clinics revealed. It allows your body to:
- Conserve and store energy.
- Repair and recover from daily activity and injuries.
- Rest, reorganize and re-catalog your brain.
According to Cleveland Clinics, even missing as little as 1.5 hours can have an impact on how you feel, causing short-term problems like:
- Lack of alertness.
- Memory problems.
- Moodiness and agitation.
- An inability or unwillingness to participate in normal daily activities.
How much sleep do you need?
Most people need at least seven hours of sleep every night, according to a report from the National Sleep Foundation. Here is the recommended number of sleep hours as per your age:
- Adults, 65+ years: 7 to 8 hours.
- Adults, 26 to 64 years: 7 to 9 hours.
- Young adults (18 to 25 years): 7 to 9 hours.
- Teenagers (14 to 17 years): 8 to 10 hours.
- School-age children (6 to 13 years): 9 to 11 hours.
- Preschool children (3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours.
- Toddlers (1 to 2 years): 11 to 14 hours.
- Infants (4 to 11 months): 12 to 15 hours.
- Newborns (0 to 3 months): 14 to 17 hours.
How poor sleep affects you?
There are many possible effects of sleep deprivation like:
- Fatigue and a lack of energy
- Poor balance and coordination
- Mood changes and mental health issues
- Forgetfulness and neurological concerns
- Changes in your appearance
- A weakened immune system
- Weight gain
- Higher stress levels
- Greater chance of car accidents
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Increased risk of other health issues