Many people who fall asleep as soon as they go to bed feel that they must have very healthy sleeping habits, but few people know that this can actually be one of the main signs of sleep deprivation. That said, falling asleep very quickly is only one of many indications that you may not be getting the amount of rest that you require in order to be healthy.
By learning the signs of sleep deprivation, you can help to make sure that you’re getting the rest you need. You can either take comfort in knowing that you’re already doing everything right, or you can find out what you can do to overcome your sleeplessness so you can improve your rest and your health.
Signs of Sleep Deprivation You Should Know About
The following are some of the signs of sleep deprivation that you’ll want to watch for:
1. Falling asleep too quickly
Always falling asleep within five minutes of going to bed is an indication of being severely sleep deprived. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke caution that it could even be an indicator of a greater sleep disorder.
2. You use clichéd phrases a lot
The frontal lobe is linked with creative and constructive thinking, speech and novel ideas. If you’re continually using phrases such as “what goes around comes around” or “two heads are better than one” then it could be that you’re sleep deprived. Complex spontaneous speech is challenging to people who aren’t well rested. This brings on the use of clichéd phrases and may also involve slurred speech, a monotone voice or stuttering.
3. You have a hard time remembering things
Are you continually forgetting your keys, wallet, or cell phone? Do you keep telling yourself to mail that birthday card and keep forgetting to do it? Why was it that you walked upstairs? You were going to get something, right? These can all be indicators that you’re not getting enough rest on a regular basis.
4. You’re increasingly impulsive
Even though you know you’re on a diet, you still snagged a donut out of the break room. You were just supposed to be surfing the web to compare prices or learn more about a product, but it seems that you just went ahead and bought it instead. The prefrontal cortex is heavily affected by sleep deprivation and this is the part of the brain that is linked with impulse control, judgment, attention and visual association.
Other Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation to Also Be Aware of
According to Columbia University Department of Neurology, the symptoms and signs of sleep deprivation will likely be minor at first. But, the longer you go without getting enough sleep, the more severe your symptoms may become.
Initially, you might notice that you are drowsy all the time, and you may find it hard to concentrate on things. You might also notice that your physical strength isn’t what it should be, or you might begin to realize that you get sick more often.
As the sleep deprivation gets worse, though, you might start hallucinating or experiencing serious mood swings. And, your risk of conditions like depression and heart disease may increase as well. Yikes!
There Are Solutions!
Now that you know about some of the main signs of sleep deprivation, you can take action. If you have been experiencing trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, consider trying a natural sleep aid that can help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.
If you still suffer from sleep deprivation, despite trying different things, talk to your doctor to get to the bottom of the problem, and to receive the right treatment plan.
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