How Poor Sleep Affects Your Health and Increases Risk

Sleep supports mental and physical recovery. Poor sleep harms your health over time. Many people underestimate how much sleep affects daily function. Understanding these effects helps you prioritise rest. Consistent good sleep improves many aspects of life.

Poor sleep weakens immunity. People who sleep less than six hours often experience more infections. Your immune system repairs cells during deep sleep. Without this time, your body struggles to fight viruses.

Cognitive function suffers. Sleep deprivation reduces focus and memory. You react slower and make more mistakes. Students and professionals both report reduced performance after poor sleep. Research links chronic sleep loss to long term cognitive decline.

Metabolism changes when you lack sleep. Hormones that regulate hunger shift. People often feel increased hunger after poor sleep. This leads to overeating and weight gain. Blood sugar levels also become unstable. Poor sleep increases risk of insulin resistance.

Mood becomes unstable. People report irritability after poor sleep. Anxiety increases when the brain does not receive enough rest. Long term sleep loss links to depression.

Your body requires seven to nine hours of sleep. Individual needs vary. You can improve sleep by using consistent routines. Reduce screens at night. Keep your room cool and dark. Avoid caffeine late in the day.

Better sleep improves your daily energy. You think clearly. Your mood stabilises. You feel more motivated to exercise and eat well. Good sleep supports long term health. You can start with small changes. Track your sleep patterns and adjust habits slowly.