What happens to your body when you don't get enough sleep?

Author: Prof. Abe Yost V  |  Last update: Monday, November 3, 2025

Long-term lack of sleep also raises your risk of obesity, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. How much sleep do you need to feel rested and lower your risk of health problems? The best amount of sleep for most adults is 7 to 9 hours of good sleep each night.

What are the side effects of lack of sleep?

The cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.

What does lack of sleep do to your body?

Studies also show that sleep deficiency changes activity in some parts of the brain. If you're sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change. Sleep deficiency has also been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.

What are the 5 stages of sleep deprivation?

Stages of Sleep Deprivation by Hour
  • Stage 1: 24 Hours of No Sleep. ...
  • Stage 2: 36 Hours of No Sleep. ...
  • Stage 3: 48 Hours of No Sleep. ...
  • Stage 4: 72 Hours of No Sleep. ...
  • Stage 5: 96+ Hours of No Sleep. ...
  • Take a Power Nap. ...
  • Sleep a Few Extra Hours Each Night. ...
  • Go To Bed a Bit Earlier.

What are the symptoms of lack of sleep?

Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation
  • Falling asleep when not intending to (e.g. reading the newspaper, watching TV.
  • Falling asleep quickly when going to bed.
  • Sleeping long hours on the weekend.
  • Taking naps.
  • Changes in the way you feel:
  • Feeling fatigued or lethargic throughout the day, yawning frequently.
  • Feeling irritable.

What Happens To Your Body And Brain If You Don't Get Sleep | The Human Body

What are 3 things lack of sleep can cause?

Sleep deficiency can lead to physical and mental health problems, injuries, loss of productivity, and even a greater likelihood of death. To understand sleep deficiency, it helps to understand what makes you sleep and how it affects your health.

How do I tell if I need more sleep?

Signs You Aren't Getting Enough Sleep
  1. 1/10. You Battle Breakouts. If you're not getting good sleep, your skin may soon show it. ...
  2. 2/10. Your Eyes Don't Look Good. ...
  3. 3/10. You Gain Weight. ...
  4. 4/10. You Crave Junk Food. ...
  5. 5/10. You Chug More Caffeine. ...
  6. 6/10. You Feel Moody. ...
  7. 7/10. You Feel Depressed. ...
  8. 8/10. Focus and Memory Feel Dim.

What are 4 consequences from lack of sleep?

In the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury.

What diseases can you get from lack of sleep?

Long-term lack of sleep also raises your risk of obesity, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. How much sleep do you need to feel rested and lower your risk of health problems? The best amount of sleep for most adults is 7 to 9 hours of good sleep each night.

Which food hinders your ability to sleep?

Avoid stimulants, such as sugars or caffeine, as they will keep you up at night. Eat something before your body starts to wind down. Going to bed on an empty stomach drops blood sugar levels and interferes with the body's ability to sleep well.

Is it okay to sleep all day once in awhile?

Regularly getting too little sleep is linked to a number of chronic diseases, not to mention irritability and sluggishness during the day. But did you know that sleeping too much could also be problematic? Oversleeping is associated with many health problems, including: Type 2 diabetes.

Why do I want to sleep but my body wont let me?

Short-term insomnia is usually due to stress or a distressing event. But some people have long-term insomnia, also called chronic insomnia. This lasts for three months or more. Insomnia may be the main problem, or it may be related to other medical conditions or medicines.

What is the test for sleep deprivation?

A sleep deprived EEG is a test which records the activity of the brain which has been deprived of sleep for a set amount of time. It records the activity through small electrodes which are applied to the scalp with a special paste. Simultaneous video is also recorded.

What is the one sleep habit that matters for a longer life?

A recent study looking at sleep and longevity found that sleep “regularity”—going to bed and waking up at consistent times with few mid-slumber interruptions—matters more than how long you sleep.

Can lack of sleep make you feel sick?

Are you feeling a little under the weather? It could be tied to how you sleep. Studies show that if you don't spend enough time sleeping, or the sleep you get isn't good quality, you're more likely to get sick when you're exposed to something like the common cold or the flu.

What happens if you don't get enough deep sleep?

Risks of Too Little Deep Sleep

In general, poor quality sleep can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. It's linked to health conditions like mood disorders, migraines, heart disease, and obesity. A loss of deep sleep raises your chances of: Dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Will your body eventually force you to sleep?

Dr. Winter says that as much as you may try to force yourself to stay awake, eventually your brain gets fixated on sleep and "at a certain point there's not much you can do about it." That's a good thing—you really don't want to go without sleep.

Is 2 hrs sleep better than no sleep?

Sleeping beyond the minimum 90-minute cycle may mean you fall deeper into your sleep cycle and will find it much harder to wake up. The best answer to this question is that some sleep is always better than none. Trying to get in a power nap or achieving that full 90-minute cycle is better for you than no sleep at all.

What does sleep debt feel like?

If don't get enough sleep on a regular basis, you might: Feel tired throughout the day. Lose your ability to remain focused and efficient during the day.

What are the symptoms of too little sleep?

Sleep deprivation and sleep insufficiency can cause many symptoms, including:
  • Slower reaction times.
  • Trouble paying attention.
  • Difficulty thinking and being logical.
  • Mood changes, including irritability.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • Reduced interest in sex.
  • Poor judgment.

How do you know if your body needs rest?

Besides feeling tired or drowsy or seeing dark circles under your eyes, you might notice subtle signs like skin breakouts, achy muscles, or vision changes. Sleep is vital to life, like eating, drinking, and breathing. 1 These 15 cues mean you may need to give yourself a break and take a rest.

What is the best time to wake up?

Early morning: Waking up early in the morning, around 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., aligns with the natural rise of the sun and can promote a sense of well-being. Many successful individuals swear by the benefits of starting their day early.

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