In today’s world, sleepless nights and constantly being on edge has gained a reputation of sorts, and what some think is productivity is, in fact, sleep deprivation and constant worrying. In actuality, the combination of chronic stress and a lack of sleep is detrimental to our bodies and mental health. Stress and sleep issues that buffet us can always lead to an enormous number of problems such as heart trouble or cognitive fog.There are 10 egregious ways lack of sleep and stress can jeopardize overall wellness.Let’s start with lack of shut-eye. Insufficient quality rest coupled with relentless stress increases the likelihood of developing serious cardiovascular complications such as hypertension, heart attacks and even strokes. As a society, we tend to normalize being tired, but doing so places a tremendous burden on our heart.Deficient sleep combined with stressful battles can leave one vulnerable to flu and a number of other illnesses, so it’s not surprising that you tend to stay sick for longer periods of time. In addition to putting us through unending discomfort, lack of sleep also leads to reduced stamina, sparing antibodies along with infection fighting cells leads recovery to slow down.Foggy brain and forgetfulness: A good night’s rest is essential for memories to be formed and for higher brain functions to take place. If you are perpetually sleep deprived, your stress levels—compounded by a lack of sleep—will make maintaining focus or recalling even the simplest bits of info a monumental challenge.A Descent into Mental Health Woes: The impact deficit of sleep, chronic stress, and long-term mental health issues have on each other is astonishing. These conditions can greatly enhance your chances of suffering from anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders, which creates a vicious cycle very difficult to escape.Greater Likelihood of Accidents: When stressed and fatigued, your levels of alertness, your responses, and your ability to make sound decisions will all drop. This goes beyond drowsy driving as it can result in slips, falls, and accidents during routine activities, turning even the most mundane undertakings extremely risky.Weight Gain: Chronic stress and poor sleep severely impact hormonal shortfalls which often leads to an increase in someone’s weight. Moreover, the sleep deficit may disrupt hunger-prone hormones (leptin and ghrelin), resulting in increased craving for unhealthy foods and more tendency to gain weight.Skin Deep Problems: Skin can be a good indicator of a person’s inner health. Lack of sleep along with stress can trigger skin conditions such as premature aging, wrinkles, and dull skin. Moreover, increased levels of cortisol due to stress can worsen acne, eczema or any skin conditions.The Persistent Pound of Headaches: Relaxing after a stressful day becomes impossible when you suffer from sleep disorders. In fact, migraines, too, can become unbearable with lack of sleep. It does not only makes a person more irritable but also drain bodily functions.Gut Feelings of Discomfort: The brain and gut share a deep-seated and intricate connection. Stress and lack of sleep can trigger functions of the digestive system giving birth to problems like IBS, indigestion, stomach and other gut disorders.Exacerbation of Chronic Pain: Stress and lack of sleep can reduce the pain threshold of chronic pain sufferers. Under such circumstances, the body is also incapable of healing itself, which exacerbates pain.Sleep and stress should not be considered luxuries; they’re vital to one’s health. Getting adequate rest and actively managing stress is more than feeling good at that time; it’s an investment into one’s mental and physical wellness down the line. Start paying attention to your bodily needs, and take the steps your body requires.
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