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You get out of bed, start your morning with your daily routine. Personal hygiene, deep breathing,
gratitude writing, and a delicious breakfast. As you walk out the front door you tell yourself “I feel
refreshed and ready to take on the day!”
But what happens when day after day you don’t get that good night’s rest?
Do you still awaken and take that deep breath in and stretch?
Probably not because you feel sleep deprived. Not only can sleep deprivation impact your motivation
but also hinder your productivity and focus.
Read on more to find out how and steps you can take to avoid a decline in your executive functioning.
Sleep Statistics
We all remember to schedule appointments, lunch outings, and other fun activities, but how many of us
schedule in sleep?
Sleep is an important activity that not only allows our body to rest and recharge, but also optimize brain
functions.
But just how much do you know about sleep? Check out the statistics below.
70% of American adults report at least one day of inadequate sleep per month, and 11% report
inadequate sleep daily.
Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation is estimated to cost America over $100 billion each year due to
decreased productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, and damages to property and the environment.
After looking at some of these statistics, it’s easy to see how many of us really are suffering from
inadequate sleep whether it’s occasionally or even daily.
But what exactly is sleep deprivation and what impact does it have on us?
What Is Sleep Deprivation?
The Sleep Foundation defines sleep deprivation as getting less than the needed amount of sleep.
Whether the sleep recommendations are 8-10 hours for teens, 7-9 hours for adults 18-64 years, or 7-8
for adults 65 years or older, sleep is critical.
When we are sleeping, the body and brain are hard at work. If not receiving enough sleep, our bodies
are unable to function normally and complete all of the necessary processes.
Common experiences of sleep deprivation are excessive sleepiness, mood changes, and impaired
executive functioning. Sleep deprivation can be due to various reasons inclusive of lifestyle, sleep
disorders, medical conditions, and daily stressors.
Impact Of Sleep Deprivation
If you thought sleep deprivation just makes you a little grumpy or tired, think again. It actually impacts
various body systems in addition to our mood and level of energy.
Lack of sleep can also cause our body to release less insulin which is important for reducing glucose
levels. Having a reduced tolerance for glucose can then result in an insulin resistance which can
eventually result in diabetes mellitus.
Our body and brain work together to send messages throughout, and so, if our brain is processing more
slowly due to fatigue, then so will the messages sent from brain to body, resulting in decreased
coordination.
So we know sleep can impact our body’s natural ability to fight infections, regulate hormone levels, and
form brain connections, but how does it impact our executive functioning skills?
A study reviewed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine assessed if sleep problems are related to
loss of productivity. It was found that individuals with moderate-severe insomnia had more than double
loss of productivity, with mild insomnia had 58% loss of productivity, and those who snored had 19-34%
loss of productivity.
When we sleep well, we feel ready to accomplish our goals. We are awake, alert, and determined. But
when we are sleepy, it makes it hard to fully perform at our optimal levels.
If our brain and body is busy working to stay awake rather than being productive, we may end up
making more errors and mistakes on tasks. Rather than having our thoughts fully engaged in the activity
at hand, our thinking may be “I am so ready to go home and get in bed” rather than “How well can I
perform the task at hand?”
If you relate to this loss of productivity and focus when sleep deprived, read below to find out ways you
can fight sleep deprivation and get a good night’s sleep.
Creating a habit of helpful daytime habits and avoiding unhelpful ones to get a good night’s rest. That
can look like getting sufficient exercise, time outdoors, awakening at the same time, and planning your
day.