Deprive Yourself of Those Bad Habits, Not Your Sleep!
By Donna Stark
How many times have you heard someone say, "I'll sleep when I'm dead"? Or, how many times have you said it yourself? Our super-hectic, overly-busy lives have brought us to the point of near exhaustion, and unfortunately, nobody is even batting an eye at this new standard of living. Maybe it's because we are all too tired to do so, but the more likely reason is that our tired eyes have morphed into little badges of honor, as they represent those who are simply outdoing everyone else.
Why FOMO Is Bad for You
We live in a time that encourages people to "do it all," and on top of that, many of us then turn around and encourage our children to follow suit. The fear of missing out, or FOMO, has reached epidemic proportions and we are paying for it with our health and wellness. Does this sound like you? Do you get excited at the mere thought of adding an extra hour of sleep to the four you are already getting? If so, it may be time to consider slowing down, to start saying no more often, and to make the necessary changes before your body chooses to make the decisions for you. Take a look at some of the health risks that can come with chronic sleep deprivation.
- Physical health - The impact that chronic sleep deprivation can have on your body is significant. It can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, poor immunity, and respiratory diseases.
- Mental health - Your mental and emotional health are at risk as well when you don't get the proper amount of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased depression, anxiety, stress, and severe mood swings.
- Mental capabilities - In addition to your body needing quality sleep to recover from the day you just had, your brain needs it as well! If you are suffering from a lack of focus, memory loss, difficulty with learning new concepts, forgetfulness, and poor concentration, you may want to consider some serious lifestyle changes.
- Safety - With slower reflexes, poor decision-making skills, and diminished ability to concentrate and focus, it's no wonder that sleep deprivation is a big concern when it comes to the safety of those who are driving or operating heavy and dangerous machinery at work.
Treat Your Body With Quality Sleep
Stop treating yourself to more responsibility and work when you should be choosing quality sleep and rest instead. It's important to aim for at least eight hours of sleep per night, so tuck the kids in early, turn off those digital devices, and start prioritizing your health! It's time to start wearing fresh, rested eyes as a badge of honor in place of those old, tired ones.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Temecula, Calif.