Lack of sleep resulting in mood changes is another hazard we are risking by indulging in erratic sleep habits. With the prolific use of smart tools which can work faster and better than our brain, remembering phone numbers and birthdays has lost its charm now. We have our face book reminders for that information. Consequently, our brain craves excitement, seeks nurture, and draws our attention to other things. Games, movies and online entertainment is keeping us awake and wandering in unknown terrain, unknown dangers covered in a pseudo safety garb.
The comic strips I see my adult children read are exaggerated, grim images which unnerve me. I always wonder how they can sleep after reading that stuff and looking at those unsavory images. If we are ending our day with so much excitement and stimulation, a rested sleep is out of question. And a disturbed sleep means a groggy, unmindful next day, and so on.
Too many bad days means restlessness, forgetfulness, bad moods and it is the onset of a very vicious cycle.
Your central nervous system is the main information highway of your body. Sleep is necessary to keep it functioning properly, but chronic insomnia can disrupt how your body usually sends and processes information. During sleep, pathways form between nerve cells (neurons) in your brain that help you remember new information you’ve learned. Sleep deprivation leaves your brain exhausted, so it can’t perform its duties as well.
You may also find it more difficult to concentrate or learn new things. The signals your body sends may also be delayed, decreasing your coordination and increasing your risk for accidents. Sleep deprivation also negatively affects your mental abilities and emotional state. You may feel more impatient or prone to mood swings. It can also compromise decision-making processes and creativity. If sleep deprivation continues long enough, you could start having hallucinations — seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there. A lack of sleep can also trigger mania in people who have bipolar mood disorder.
The last line may be a bit extreme, I let it stay though…just in case that is the most impactful, wakeup call for any reader.
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