Do you think it’s okay to miss sleep? Rethink your thought. Less than six hours of sleep can affect your brain and motor abilities just as much as being legally intoxicated, according to studies. This implies that your reflexes, judgment, and concentration may be as erratic as those of someone who has had too many drinks if you’re staying up late or getting very little sleep.
According to Harvard Medical School research, your performance is equivalent to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% after 17 hours of sleep deprivation. 24 hours later? In several regions, it rises to 0.10%, which is far higher than the legal driving limit. In summary, lack of sleep causes you to become dangerously sluggish and impulsive in addition to being exhausted.
Sleep deprivation also makes people more likely to take risks, which is why sleepy drivers cause hundreds of collisions year. Additionally, research indicates that prolonged sleep deprivation, whether brought on by long workdays, binge-watching television, or constant scrolling, necessitates multiple nights of adequate rest in order to fully recover. It won’t be resolved by a restful night’s sleep.
What is the answer, then? Experts advise reducing screen time before bed, establishing a regular bedtime, and striving for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. It could be time to reconsider your sleeping patterns if you find that you need caffeine to function.
To perform at their peak, your body and brain require rest. The next time you’re tempted to forgo sleep in favor of work, play, or social media, keep in mind that while running on empty may seem normal, it’s just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.
