How sleep Affects Your Health

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute article discusses the extensive health impacts of sleep deprivation, emphasizing its detrimental effects on both physical and mental well-being. Insufficient sleep disrupts the healing and repair of the heart and blood vessels, leading to increased risks of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. Hormonally, it alters the balance of ghrelin and leptin, hormones that regulate hunger, potentially causing weight gain. Cognitively, sleep deficiency impairs attention, decision-making, and emotional regulation, adversely affecting daily functioning. To enhance brain health and cognitive performance, the article recommends prioritizing sufficient, quality sleep by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a restful environment, and addressing sleep disorders. These recommendations are grounded in scientific research underscoring the critical role of sleep in overall health.