Life
6 Weird Things That Happen When You're Tired AF
Whether you've recently had a baby, you're stressed from work demands, you're struggling through school, or you're just busy there are undoubtedly times in life when you're required to function on far less sleep than you'd like. You know that sleep (or lack thereof) can change how well or how quickly you can accomplish your daily to-do list, but there are also things your sleep-deprived body does that, well, wouldn't normally make the list.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sleep deprivation is definitely an American public health issue, with one in three American adults getting insufficient sleep on a regular basis. Additionally, longterm, sufferers of sleep-deprivation can be at a higher risk for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and depression, according to the CDC. Not great, but a great motivator to try your best to squeeze in those seven hours of sleep a night that the CDC says adults really do need.
But, even if you develop a solid sleep routine, there will be mornings when there just isn't enough coffee in the world to make your previous night's lack of sleep OK? Read on to learn what kinds of other things your terribly sleep-deprived body just might be in store for that day, which, of course, you'll handle like the boss you are.
1You Eat (And Eat, And Eat) A Lot
When you're not getting enough sleep, it's tempting to reach for fries over carrots. That's because, as Dr. Chris Winter told Health, your brain make trick you into eating more when you're sleep-deprived. Essentially, your brain is substituting the energy you'd normally get from a good night's sleep with energy from food — and it's not always healthy food.
2You Struggle With Words
According to Baby Center, one common side effect of insufficient sleep is the inability to adequately communicate with others. Can't find the words? Struggling to easily articulate thoughts? It could potentially be because your daughter woke you up six times last night.
3You Can't Control Your Emotions
If you're not getting enough sleep, you may feel ecstatic one minute and down in the dumps the next. That's because, according to the Cleveland Clinic, sleep deprivation can make you moodier than normal.
4You Have Skin Problems
As if suffering through hormonal acne flare-ups wasn't enough, not getting enough sleep can dull your skin and make you appear older, according to Greatist. And, as an unfortunate bonus, stress-related sleep deprivation can cause acne and lack of solid rest can result in dark circles under your eyes.
5You Get A Little Klutzy
Just because you trip and fall out of the blue, it doesn't necessarily mean you're sleep-deprived, however, insufficient sleep can cause clumsiness, Winter told Health. Your reaction time's lowered, so it's harder to avoid potential accidents.
6You Get Sick
Experiencing your third cold in the last two months while shooting for a promotion? You might need to make time for more sleep. As Self noted, if you're not getting enough sleep, your immune system may not be able to fight as effectively.
