Lack of sleep – when it becomes a problem

Most of us go through a period or two in our lives with a lack of sleep, and when it happens occasionally, then it isn’t really a big deal. We may feel a bit rough for a few days, but we bounce back to normal soon after. However, if you continually suffer from a lack of sleep, then you should see you doctor to find out what is going on with your health.

Everybody needs sleep. It is a time when your body can heal itself, your muscles get the chance to relax, your brain and your other organs too, with your stomach usually getting many hours break from having to digest food. The amount of sleep that each person needs does vary somewhat, but in the rush of life today, many of us are compromising the quality and amount of sleep we allow ourselves to get each night.

This lack of sleep can hurt you though, and show itself in ways other than irritability, especially if you already have some major health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, or depression.

Now, the effects of sleep deprivation do depend on what it is that is causing the problem, but some of the typical effects of the lack of sleep are depression, dizziness, blurred vision. high blood pressure, memory loss, and weight loss, or in some cases weight gain. These are symptoms that something is wrong, and you need to get help as soon as possible before your health gets any worse.

So, what can you do about a lack of sleep? Probably the best place to start is by taking a look at your overall lifestyle. Consider the foods you eat, the exercise you get, the stress you are under, and anything else that you think is playing a part in your lack of sleep. Improve you diet, so that you are eating the fruit and vegetables everyone recommends, and get some exercise, but whatever you do, do not exercise within 2 hours of when you are going to bed. Exercise gets the blood pumping faster for its trip around the body, and this does not put you in a relaxed frame for sleeping. Instead, try some meditation before bedtime, even play a meditation tape while you are in bed, or try some gentle, easy stretching exercises.

Reading before bedtime can relax you too, depending on your choice of reading material, or if you have been rushing around all day, maybe relaxing in a warm bath with some aromatherapy candles burning in the bathroom can help you relax a little more. But, of course, do be careful if you light candles that they are never left unattended, even in the bathroom.

Try a drink of warm milk before you go to bed, and only go to bed when you are sleepy. Do not nap during the day, unless you don’t have trouble sleeping at night, and try to keep to a regular schedule for going to bed and getting up, then your body will become used to that routine.

Also, if you are taking medications, check to see whether any of these are causing your lack of sleep. Some drugs contain caffeine, and that could be causing your sleep deprivation. If you take prescription drugs, then check in with your doctor and let him or her know about your sleep problem, in case it is connected to your other illnesses or diseases.