Sleep Debt: What Does It Do to Your Body?

Getting enough sleep and the right amount of it is key to our overall health. So, what is sleep debt? Debt is when we owe something, such as money to a bank. Sleep debt can be categorised as owing sleep to the body, or simply when we are not getting enough sleep for our mind and body to function optimally.

Sleep debt

However, the effects of cumulative sleep debt go far beyond feeling tired and losing our edge during the day. It can lead to serious illness down the line. How so?

According to the Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep can eventually result in hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Those are serious conditions that we'd all like to avoid.

How can we avoid sleep debt?

1. Don't sacrifice your sleep!

You may feel that a few hours of studying or working extra on a few nights a week will be okay. Actually, using those valuable hours to get the sleep your body needs is better. It will mean you're mentally alert the next day and have the cognitive function to perform at your best. Crucially, it will benefit your long-term health.

2.Keep a set sleep schedule.

Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. We know, we know. Easier said than done. As humans, we are creatures of habit, as the saying goes. Research shows that our bodies like habits too. Our sleep quality improves when we maintain a regular sleep and wake schedule.

If you need to change your regular bedtime, don't make drastic changes. For example, if you want to shift it by an hour, move it by fifteen or twenty-minute increments over a few nights. This allows the body to adjust gradually.

3. Have a good bedroom environment.

Keep the bedroom at a cool, comfortable temperature. Block out light and keep it dark, as this aids the body in falling asleep more quickly. Preferably, don't keep your phone next to your bed. Use a retro alarm clock instead. This will eliminate unnecessary blue light in the bedroom and enhance the quality of your sleep.

Ensure you have a good-quality bed, mattress, and pillows. Using old or unsuitable mattresses or pillows can cause neck and back pain, which in turn can lead to interrupted sleep and, ultimately, sleep debt.

To sum up, consistent, quality sleep is important for our health and overall wellbeing. It's a good idea to invest in our sleep. In the end, it's an investment in ourselves.

Book English Sessions

Vocabulary

Categorise

(verb)

Meaning: To assign something to a specific class or group.

Example: French fries are often categorised as junk food.

Down the line

(idiom)

Meaning: At some point in the future.

Example: Eating too much salt can cause hypertension down the line.

Creatures of habit

(idiom)

Meaning: Liking to do things the same way every time.

Example: As creatures of habit, they ate Sunday roast every weekend.

Drastic

(adjective)

Meaning: Something that has a strong or far-reaching effect.

Example: The company took drastic measures to cut costs.

Ultimately

(adverb)

Meaning: Finally, in the end.

Example: Ultimately, they decided to travel to Seoul.