A minimum of seven hours of high-quality sleep per night, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind.
Sleep deprivation affects between 50 million and 70 million individuals in the United States at any given time.
Virtually every human being experiences sleep deprivation at some stage in their lives.
Getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can result in mild to severe symptoms, with cardiovascular symptoms being among the most hazardous.
In addition, obtaining the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night is essential for regulating the hormonal homeostasis of the body.
Insufficient sleep has been specifically associated to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
Due to the importance of sleep in sustaining a healthy immune system, sleeping less than six hours per night may also result in increased illness.
A good night's sleep allows for the repair and restoration of brain function to the levels seen at the beginning of the previous day.
It should not come as a surprise that you may feel tired or fatigued after insufficient sleep; however, you may be shocked by the severity of your lethargy.
Less than six hours of sleep can cause fatigued eyes, dark circles, and blurred vision.
A lack of sleep has been associated with an increased risk of developing a metabolic disorder such as Type 2 diabetes.
Lastly, you may observe that sleeping less than six hours per night decreases your physical endurance.