How do I spot the signs of sleep deprivation?
It seems like a really simple question to answer. If you’re awake half of the night, it’s a pretty good indication you’re not sleeping enough.
However, as we have seen with sleep apnoea, you may not realise your sleep is being broken or it is the cause of what is ailing you. Many people don’t associate a lack of sleep with the health issues they face.
So here are some indications you may be sleep deprived:
- Excessive yawning during daytime
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Feeling depressed
- Moodiness
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased appetite
- Clumsiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Lack of motivation
- Increased sickness
According to The Sleep Charity: “Research seems to show regularly sleeping less than six hours per night is associated with many of the adverse effects of sleep deprivation.
“If you do find yourself regularly getting less than six hours a night and are exhausted the next day, then it might be time to overhaul your sleep and lifestyle habits.”
So how do we do that? See the last chapter, “How do I sleep like a champion?” for some ideas on how to get a restful night’s sleep.