Sleep Deprivation Could Affect Brain Health

20/09/2014

sleep deprivation and brain health

Many people suffer from sleep deprivation, due to various reasons. One of the biggest reasons behind sleep deprivation is that people do not have proper sleep patterns. They do not sleep at the proper time, and when they do, the sleeping environment is not as it should be. However, it is extremely important for one to get proper sleep. Sleep is a way for your body to release the stress it faces during the day. Not only does it recharge your body but it also helps your brain relax.

The brain gathers information throughout the day. This is a source of stress for your brain. But when you sleep, your brain does not get total rest. In fact, the brain begins processing all the information you gathered. To make sure the information is processed successfully and to help your brain form memories, you need proper sleep.

If you do not get proper sleep, you could end up with health issues. Some of the biggest issues you could face due to sleep deprivation are diabetes, obesity, and even hypertension. In addition to these diseases, you will also experience a decrease in your ability to analyze a situation. Your brain will become foggy, not to mention your judgment skills will be poor. This is exactly why you are discouraged from driving when sleepy.

There are many behavioral studies that highlight the benefits of sleeping properly. Sleep deprivation not only causes health issues but also, according to many researchers, hinders your ability to learn. If you are not sleeping properly or are sleep deprived, you will not be able to learn efficiently. This is one of the reasons students have difficulty in retaining knowledge. They follow improper sleep patterns and are often deprived of sleep altogether.

There are also many memories you gather throughout the day. Some memories are episodic—that is, they are of a certain event in your life. On the other hand, there are some memories that are instructional, like learning to drive or play an instrument. There are three steps to forming a memory. The first step is acquisition, which is the process of gathering the information. The second step is consolidation, which is the process of the memory forming in the brain. The final step is recall, which involves accessing the memory after it has been formed.

The first step for the forming of memories requires you to be awake. However, the most crucial step is consolidation, which requires that you be asleep. Therefore, you should take the necessary measures to avoid being sleep-deprived. Remember that simply sleeping for an extended period of time is not helpful if the sleep is not proper.

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