Can You Get Sick from Lack of Sleep? 50 Resources to Help
When you are young, your mother tells you several things about your health that may cause you to question whether she is telling you the truth. Rules such as no swimming for at least 15 minutes after eating, no playing in the rain or you’ll catch a cold, and no going outside during winter without gloves and a hat or you’ll catch pneumonia may have given you pause when you were a kid because the consequences of not listening could have been dire. As you get older, you take your chances and sometimes wish you would not have done that cannonball right after eating hot dogs at the Labor Day picnic.
While she may not have known exactly why a lack of sleep could make you sick, your mother definitely was right in telling you to get enough sleep or you would get sick. Of course, we all know that sleep deprivation makes us feel sluggish, makes it difficult to concentrate, and makes us cranky, but we may not realize the very real toll that a lack of sleep takes on our health. People who do not get enough sleep are at a greater risk of developing serious health issues like heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. By some accounts, 90% of people with insomnia also have another health condition.
Lack of sleep also contributes to symptoms of depression; in fact, in the U.S., people who are diagnosed with depression or anxiety are likely to sleep fewer than six hours a night. Sleep deprivation and depression often exacerbate one another, becuase lack of sleep aggravates depression symptoms, and depression often makes it more difficult to fall asleeep.
Lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain as well. According to researchers, people who get less sleep than they should are more overweight than people who get enough sleep. This associateion between sleep deprivation and obesity affects both children and adults. Poeple who stay awake longer have more opportunities to eat, and lack of sleep affects key hormones that control appetite, so sleep-deprived people may be hungrier than individuals who get enough sleep.
To learn more about how and why people get sick from lack of sleep, check out our 50 resources that provide a range of tips on improving sleep and the immune system to stay healthy. We have selected a variety of resources from authorities on sleep, the immune system, and health as it relates to sleep to help readers understand the effects of sleep deprivation on the body and your overall wellbeing. Please note that while we have included a Table of Contents to help you jump to the resources of most interest to you, we have listed our top 50 resources that explain how you can get sick from lack of sleep here, in no particular order.
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Videos and Multimedia
1. Not Getting Enough Sleep Can Make You Sick
@CBSNews
Known for its original reporting and trusted news, CBS News shares findings from a study from the journal Sleep that found being sleep deprived makes you more than four times more likely to catch a cold. In fact, people who sleep fewer than six hours a night are in greater jeopardy of getting ill than those who get more than seven hours of sleep.
Three key facts from Not Getting Enough Sleep Can Make You Sick:
- There is growing scientific literature supporting the link between sleep and the immune system
- People who sleep fewer than five hours a night are 4.5 times more likely to get sick than those who sleep more than seven hours a night, and people who sleep fewer than six hours a night are 4.2 times more likely to get sick
- Sleep deprivation is more important than any other factor in determining the likelihood of catching a cold
Cost: FREE
2. 4 Serious Health Problems Linked to Lack of Sleep
@FoxNews
Fox News is a leading cable news network that delivers breaking news, insightful analysis, and must-see videos, like 4 Serious Health Problems Linked to Lack of Sleep. Risk of cancer, disease, and death increases for individuals who get fewer than 7-8 hours of sleep per night, as Dr. David Samadi explains in this Fox News video that explains exactly how you can get sick from lack of sleep.
Three key facts from 4 Serious Health Problems Linked to Lack of Sleep:
- You need to get an uninterrupted 6-7 hours of sleep to allow the immune system to work to repair the damage done to the body during the day
- If you get less than 6 hours of sleep, you double your risk of heart attack
- If you have diabetes and do not get enough sleep, your insulin can become resistant and your glucose level will increase
Cost: FREE
3. The Side Effects of Lack of Sleep
@TheDoctors
Hosted by ER physician Dr. Travis Stork, The Doctors is an Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show that shares the most up-to-date information regarding health and wellness in addition to tips for attaining and maintaining good health. In this video, Dr. Stork describes the issues people face when they fail to get enough sleep, such as memory issues, depression and irritability, weaker immune system, and an increased perception of pain.
Three key facts we like from The Side Effects of Lack of Sleep:
- Sleep deprivation changes the brain to make people feel more hungry and crave carbs and sugar, increasing the risk for obesity and diabetes
- People turn to caffeine when they are tired, which increases heart rate and may cause blood pressure to increase
- Chronic sleep deprivaton can lead to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, GI issues, and more
Cost: FREE
4. Sleep Deprivation and the Effects on Your Body
@ABC
ABC News works around the clock to bring breaking news, top stories, videos, photos, special reports, and exclusive interviews to people. This ABC News video shares the negative effects of sleep deprivation on health, such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart and blood vessel disease, diabetes, and weight gain. People need to commit to getting enoughs sleep to stay healthy.
Three key facts from Sleep Deprivation and the Effects on Your Body:
- Sleep deprivation makes it difficult for the body to process food properly, raising blood glucose levels; insulin loses its efficiency by 21%, which increases the chances of diabetes
- Sleep deprivation makes people crave high-fat, high-sugar foods
- Lack of sleep puts the immune system on high alert and increases the risk of cancer
Cost: FREE
5. Sleep & Immunity
@nutrition_facts
Dr. Michael Greger shares the latest nutrition information in short, engaging videos via NutritionFacts.org, a noncommercial, science-based source. In Sleep & Immunity, a video available on YouTube, Dr. Greger examines the question of whether lack of sleep impairs the immune system. In 2009, researchers put the common cold virus into people’s nostrils and found that people who get more sleep were more likely to beat the virus.
Three key facts from Sleep & Immunity:
- People who get enough sleep are 3-5 times more likely to protect against the common cold
- Getting enough sleep is one of the easiest things people can do to boost the immune system
- Even people who are exposed to viruses can avoid getting sick if they have a strong enough immune system
Cost: FREE
6. Dr. Tina Waters on Sleep and the Immune System
@CBNNews
The Christian Broadcasting Network, CBN News, brings international Christian-inspired news 24 hours a day. They share a video on YouTube featuring Dr. Tina Waters, who specializes in adult sleep disorders, sleep apnea, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders. Dr. Waters explains that sleep has positive and negative effects on the immune system, depending on how much sleep a person gets.
Three key facts we like from Dr. Tina Waters on Sleep and the Immune System:
- Sleep deprivation potentially leads to lower T-cells, which inhibits immune function and increases the likelihood of getting sick or developing infections
- Interrupted sleep, sleep apnea, and unrefreshing sleep lead to a weakened immune system
- Sleep apnea causes inflammatory that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes
Cost: FREE
7. Sleep: The Critical Factor for a Healthy Immune System, Part 2
@organicmednow
Dr. Craig Knoiver is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician who has extensive experience and interest in natural and organic medicine. He shares information about the importance of sleep for maintaining a healthy immune system in Sleep: The Critical Factor for a Healthy Immune System, Part 2, a video available on YouTube.
Three key facts we like from Sleep: The Critical Factor for a Healthy Immune System, Part 2:
- People who eat well and are active may consistently get sick if they do not get enough sleep
- Sleep is critical to the immune system, and people who work third shift or overnight are at a greater risk of having a weakened immune system
- Sleep gives the immune system time to reset
Cost: FREE
8. 5 Health Hazards Linked to Lack of Sleep
@ABC
@katiemoisse
5 Health Hazards Linked to Lack of Sleep, by Katie Moisse for ABC News, details how a lack of sleep takes a serious toll on people’s physical and mental health. Sleep deficiency affects mood and the ability to make memories and learn. More significantly, lack of sleep affects the metabolism, appetite, blood pressure, inflammation levels, and the immune system.
Three key facts from 5 Health Hazards Linked to Lack of Sleep:
- Sleep deprivation has been linked to stroke, obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety, heart disease, and cancer
- Lack of sleep leads to weight gain because hormone levels change when people need more sleep
- People who sleep fewer than six hours a night are more likely to suffer a stroke
Cost: FREE
9. Is Lack of Sleep Making You Gain Weight?
@Femail
Daily Mail Femail shares fashion, beauty, health, food, and relationship news. Carly Stern’s multimedia resource for DailyMail.com Femail includes an article, infographic, and video that describe exactly what happens to the body when a person fails to get enough sleep. As Stern points out, sleep deprivation is responsible for everything from wrinkled skin to increased risk of heart problems, mood disorders, and diabetes.
Three key facts from Is Lack of Sleep Making You Gain Weight?:
- The American Academy of Sleep Medicince and the Sleep Research Society recommend people get at least seven hours of sleep to maintain a healthy body and mind
- When you suffer from lack of sleep, your immune system has a more difficult time mounting a response to fight infection
- Lack of sleep is a strong predictor for susceptibility to the cold virus
Cost: FREE
10. Sleep and Disease Risk
@harvardmed
Harvard Medical School is known for making advances in biomedical research, trends in medical education, and much more. Their Sleep and Disease Risk is a multimedia resource featuring video vignettes with prominent medical doctors that highlight the consequences lack of sleep has on long-term health. They point to recent research that shows people who have consistent sleep deprivation are at a higher risk for developing chronic disease.
Three key facts from Sleep and Disease Risk:
- Considering sleep a priority is an important step in chronic medical condition prevention
- Sleep deprivation is just as harmful as increased stress in terms of increased blood pressure, impaired control of blood glucose, and increased inflammation
- People who get adequate sleep are better able to fight infections than those who sleep less
Infographics
11. The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Body
@Healthline
Healthline is committed to being a trusted ally in the pursuit of health and wellbeing, which is why they offer information, guidance, and inspiration to site visitors. Their infographic displays how sleep deprivation causes damage to the body in the short term and leads to chronic health problems and a negative impact on quality of life over time.
Three key facts from The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Body:
- When you sleep, your immune system produces protective cytokines and antibodies and cells that fight infection; these cytokines and antibodies also aid sleep so that your body has ample energy to protect against illness
- Sleep deprivation results in the immune system failing to have the ability to build up its defenses
- Lack of sleep results in the body needing a longer amount of time to recover from illness
Cost: FREE
12. CDC Reports Lack of Sleep is a Health Epidemic
@UnityPointNews
UnityPoint Health offers coordinated care between the doctor’s office, hospital, and home. They also share information about lack of sleep and its effects on health in their infographic, CDC Reports Lack of Sleep is a Health Epidemic. As the infographic points out, sleep deprivation can cause several serious health problems.
Three key facts from CDC Reports Lack of Sleep is a Health Epidemic:
- Sticking to a sleep scheudle, which includes going to bed and waking at the same time every day, can improve your overall health
- Repay sleep debt with a nap in the afternnon for 10-30 minutes; if you sleep longer, you will have difficulty sleeping at night
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine that may disrupt sleep and negatively impact your health
Cost: FREE
13. Here’s a Horrifying Picture of What Sleep Loss Will Do To You
@HuffingtonPost
Arianna Huffington has long been a proponent of sleep and took her call for a sleep revolution to Huffington Post and publishers with her book, The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time. HuffPost continues to inform readers about the power of sleep and the negative effects of sleep deprivation in articles and infographics like Here’s a Horrifying Picture of What Sleep Loss Will Do To You. In fact, one week of sleeping fewer than six hours a night alters more than 700 genes.
Three key facts from Here’s a Horrifying Picture of What Sleep Loss Will Do To You:
- Studies have linked lack of sleep to colorectal and aggressive breast cancers
- One night of sleep deprivation makes you hungrier and more likely to overeat
- Chronic lack of sleep increases heart disease risk, diabetes risk, death risk, and stroke risk
Cost: FREE
14. The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
@healthcentral
HealthCentral empowers people to improve and take control of their health and wellbeing. Their infographic, The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation, makes clear all of the ways in which lack of sleep poses health hazards.
Three key facts from:
- Insufficient sleep alters gene activity, which impacts the body’s response to stress, immunity, inflammation, and overall health
- Lack of sleep increases exposure to light at night and reduces melatonin production, which disrupts estrogen production; too much estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer
- Sleeping ony 5-6 hours a night increases risk of higher blood pressure
Cost: FREE
15. 7 Serious Sleep Deprivation Effects & Tips to Sleep Better
@HealthnbodyHNBT
HealthnBodyTips.com provides health and beauty tips along with remedies for skin, hair, and body along with tips for fitness, diseases, disorders, and illness. Their infographic explores the effects of sleep deprivation on health and offers tips for getting a good night’s rest in order to maintain health and wellness.
Three key facts from 7 Serious Sleep Deprivation Effects & Tips to Sleep Better:
- Sleep deprivation leads to memory loss, weight fluctuation, heart disease, a weak immune system, and high blood pressure
- Avoid eating before sleep because heart rate increases working to metabolize food and increases the chances of waking in the middle of the night
- Avoid caffeine before sleep so you are able to get a more restful sleep
Cost: FREE
16. Building Up Immunity: Sleep Strengthens Long Term Immunological Memories
@NeuroscienceNew
Neuroscience News is dedicated to neuroscience research news and is an independent science news site that focuses mainly on neuroscience and other cognitive sciences. Their infographic showcases memory formation in the central nervous system and the immune system. When we lack sleep, our immune system struggles to recall previously encountered pathogens.
Three key facts from Building Up Immunity: Sleep Strengthens Long Term Immunological Memories:
- Long-term increases in memory T-cells are assocated with deep slow-wave sleep
- Sleep deprivation puts your body at risk of developing infection
- Hormones released during sleep benefit cells that recognize invaders; lack of sleep may result in the immune system focusing on the wrong parts of pathogens
Cost: FREE
17. Infographic of the Day: So What If You Don’t Sleep Enough?
@FastCoDesign
@ffunction
From Fast Company, Co.Design is at the intersection of business and design. They share an infographic designed by FFunction that depicts the health hazards of failing to get adequate amounts of sleep. With only 7% of people getting the recommended eight hours of sleep per night, nearly all of us are at risk for the health problems detailed by the infographic.
Three key facts from Infographic of the Day: So What If You Don’t Sleep Enough?:
- Losing sleep doubles the risk of breast cancer
- Getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night increases your chance of heart attack by 100%
- People who are sleep deprived are 20% more likely to be dead in 20 years
Cost: FREE
18. Infographic: The Power of Sleep
@MWildcraft
From The [Grow] Network, The Power of Sleep infographic visualizes research that shows why people need to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Getting the proper amount of sleep helps keep us healthy and minimizes risk of health problems. Our immune systems rely on sleep to function properly and protect us from germs, viruses, infections, and other bugs.
Three key facts from Infographic: The Power of Sleep:
- Lack of sleep results in a decrease in T-cells, which weakens our immune systems
- Inflammation increases when we are sleep deprived, which increases risk of heart disease and other inflammation-related illnesses
- Sleep deprivation increases our vulnerability to viruses and bacteria, as it results in an acute increase in the risk of getting sick
Cost: FREE
Scholarly Papers and Research
19. Sleep and Immune Function
@NCBI
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) advances science and health by providing access to biological information. They also share Sleep and Immune Function, a scholarly paper by Luciana Besedovsky, Tanja Lange, and Jan Born. The paper provides an analysis of the relationship between lack of sleep and a weakened immune system.
Three key facts from Sleep and Immune Function:
- Sleep is critical to immune function because it helps T-cells and other components of the immune system remain regulated
- Adequate sleep gives the immune system time to recover and to activate and generate cells that protect against invaders
- Restful sleep regulates clock genes that that govern immune function
Cost: FREE
20. Poor Sleep Associated with Increased Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke
@ScienceDaily
ScienceDaily shares breaking news about the latest discoveries in science, health, the environment, and technology, including this research study about the relationship between poor sleep and an increased likelihood of heart attack and stroke. The European Society of Cardiology places lack of sleep on the same level as smoking, lack of exercise, and poor diet when it comes to risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Three key facts from Poor Sleep Associated with Increased Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke:
- Sleep disorders are very closely related to the instance of cardiovascular diseases
- 63% of people who had a heart attack also had a sleeping disorder
- Poor sleep is associated with double the risk of heart attack and up to four times the risk of stroke
Cost: FREE
21. Sleep and Immune Function by Freda DeKeyser Ganz
@AACNme
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers Critical Care Nurse, a journal for high acuity, progressive, and critical care nursing. In her scholarly paper, Freda DeKeyser Ganz, RN, PhD, examines why sleep is associated with disease, infection, and increased mortality.
Three key facts from Sleep and Immune Function by Freda DeKeyser Ganz:
- Sleep is associated with immune function because of the physiological basis of sleep, sleep architecture, the sleep-wake cycle, cytokines, and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis
- Night shift workers have a disruption to their biological rhythm which changes their melatonin levels; melatonin levels are associated with an increased risk for cancer
- The sleep-wake cycle negatively impacts products of the immune system such as cytokines
Cost: FREE
22. Behaviorally Assessed Sleep and Susceptibility to the Common Cold
@ResearchSleep
SLEEP, a publication of the Sleep Research Society, featured a research study done by Aric A. Prather, Denise Janicki-Deverts, Martica H. Hall, and Sheldon Cohen. Their work demonstrates that people with a shorter sleep duration are much more susceptible to the common cold.
Three key facts from Behaviorally Assessed Sleep and Susceptibility to the Common Cold:
- Poor-quality sleep and lack of sleep are associated with a number of chronic illnesses, acute infectious illnesses, and premature death
- The immune system’s resistance to infection and illness weakens with lack of sleep
- Sleep deprivation makes people more susceptible to colds than any other factor
Cost: FREE
23. Sleep, Immunity and Inflammation in Gastrointestinal Disorders
@NCBI
In this scholarly article made available by NCBI, Tauseef Ali, James Choe, Ahmed Awab, Theodore L. Wagener, and William C. Orr examine the effects of sleep on health and wellness. Specifically, this paper shares the findings of research done to determine the link between sleep and gastrointestinal disorders.
Three key facts from Sleep, Immunity and Inflammation in Gastrointestinal Disorders:
- Abnormal sleep brought on by gastrointestinal disorders contributes to the severity of the same GI diseases
- People who suffer from sleep abnormalities are at a greater risk for all-cause mortality and serious health issues
- There is an interdependent relationship between sleep and overall immune function, especially in relation to inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastro-esophageal reflux, and colorectal cancer
Cost: FREE
24. Sleep Deprivation Effect on the Immune System Mirrors Physical Stress
@ScienceDaily
Science Daily shares a research study from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, which details the ways in which severe sleep loss has adverse effects on the immune system. In fact, sleep deprivation affects immunity just as stress does.
Three key facts from Sleep Deprivation Effect on the Immune System Mirrors Physical Stress:
- Chronic sleep loss is a factor in immune system impairment because of a loss of day-night rhymicity in white blood cells called granulocytes
- The body’s circadian clocks are based on regular sleep and regulate immune function; lack of sleep limits the clocks’ function and impairs immunity
- Researchers have long known that stress adversely affects immunity, and lack of sleep mirrors those adverse effects
Articles
25. Lack of Sleep Puts You at Higher Risk for Colds, First Experimental Study Finds
@NewsfromScience
Science magazine is a leading outlet for cutting-edge research in all areas of science. Writer Hanae Armitage’s Science article reports on the ways in which sleep deprivation leads to a higher risk for colds. As Armitage points out, the link between lack of sleep and a weakened immune system has been subjectively reported but a recent study shows that sleep-deprived individuals are more than four times likely to catch a common cold than their well-rested peers.
Three key facts from Lack of Sleep Puts You at Higher Risk for Colds, First Experimental Study Finds:
- Sleep is an important regulator for specific antiviral immune responses
- People who sleep fewer than five hours a night are nearly five times as likely to get sick than those who sleep seven hours or more
- People who sleep 6-7 hours per night or more are at no greater risk of catching a cold than those who sleep for 7 hours or more, so there is a sleep threshold for strong immune defense
Cost: FREE
26. Lack of Sleep Makes You More Prone to Colds By Weakening Your Immune System
@Newsweek
Newsweek delivers news and analysis on politics, science, technology, and culture. Jessica Firger’s Newsweek tech and science article, Lack of Sleep Makes You More Prone to Colds By Weakening Your Immune System, reports on a study that found people who do not get enough sleep or who don’t sleep well are at a higher risk for developing colds.
Three key facts from Lack of Sleep Makes You More Prone to Colds By Weakening Your Immune System:
- Poor sleep weakens the immune system and raises risk for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and stroke
- Seven hours of sleep may be sufficient for people who do not have preexisting immune system concerns
- Sleep is a better predictor of susceptibility to colds than age, stress levels, race, education, income, and smoking
Cost: FREE
27. How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
@sleepfoundation
The Sleep Foundation strives to help America sleep better by sharing information about the importance and benefits of sleep. In this article, they share the latest recommendations for hours of sleep needed by age and list benefits of sleep as well as tips for getting your recommended hours of restful sleep.
Three key facts from How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?:
- School age children (ages 6-13) should get 9-11 hours of sleep per night, teenagers (ages 14-17) should get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, younger adults and adults (ages 18-64) should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and older adults (age 65+) should get 7-8 hours of sleep per night
- Make sleep a priority by sticking to a sleep schedule, practicing a relaxing bedtime ritual, exercising daily, evaluating your bedroom for ideal temperature, sound, and light, sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows, and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and electronics before bed
- Do not go beyond the minimum or maximum ranges of sleep per night to ensure optimal health
Cost: FREE
28. How Sleep Deprivation Fries Your Hormones, Your Immune System, and Your Brain
@BreakingMuscle
Vanessa Bennington is family nurse practitioner who understands the value of sleep in terms of health and wellness. In her article for Breaking Muscle, Bennington points to sleep deprivation as being responsible for illness, depression, obesity, and early aging. She also focuses on the negative impact of lack of sleep on hormones.
Three key facts from How Sleep Deprivation Fries Your Hormones, Your Immune System, and Your Brain:
- One week of sleep deprivation significantly affects several hormones and metabolic processes that lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- People who sleep fewer than 5-6 hours per night are twice as likely to develop diabetes
- Chronic sleep deprivation results in elevated cortisol levels that decrease more slowly and increase the likelihood of developing diabetes and obesity
Cost: FREE
29. Your Lack Of Sleep Is Probably Making You Sick
@HuffingtonPost
@lindsaygholmes
Deputy Healthy Living Editor for the Huffington Post, Lindsay Holmes explains the effect of lack of sleep on health in this HuffPo article. Simply put: “a lack of sleep can significantly increase your chances of getting sick.” Holmes points to a recent study that found people who sleep fewer than six hours a night are four times more likely to become ill after being exposed to a cold virus.
Three key facts from Your Lack of Sleep Is Probablby Making You Sick:
- Lack of sleep is a significant predictor of whether or not a person catches a common cold
- Shorter amounts of sleep alter the body’s inflammation response, which is a critical body function that helps fight off viruses
- Your immune health improves when you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night
Cost: FREE
30. Lack of Sleep Dramatically Raises Your Risk for Getting Sick
@TIME
@mandyoaklander
TIME shares breaking news and current events from around the world. TIME health editor and writer Mandy Oaklander reports on the importance of sleep for boosting immunity and warding off the common cold in her article, Lack of Sleep Dramatically Raises Your Risk for Getting Sick.
Three key facts from Lack of Sleep Dramatically Raises Your Risk for Getting Sick:
- One more hour of sleep can help maintain health, especially if it is the difference between getting six hours of sleep or seven hours of sleep
- The number of hours a person sleeps is one of the top predictors of whether or not he gets sick
- Lack of sleep affects the internal environment and makes it more difficult for the immune system to defend against a virus
Cost: FREE
31. 11 Signs You’re Sleep Deprived
@goodhealth
Health wants to help you live your best life now by sharing the latest in fitness, food, beauty, and more. In her Health article, Rachel Swalin points out 11 of the most common signs of sleep deprivation. While some estimates show that one in three adults don’t get enough sleep, many people think that they are used to getting less sleep than they should and don’t need the extra hours because they are too busy to sleep. Swalin’s article reminds us that there are many adverse effects of sleep deprivation, including getting sick frequently.
Three key facts from 11 Signs You’re Sleep Deprived:
- Lack of sleep impairs your immune response and makes it nearly impossible for your body to fight off infections
- People who get fewer than seven hours of sleep a night are nearly three times as likely to develop a cold as those who get eight hours of sleep per night
- The immune system produces cytokines, or proteins that help protect against infection and inflammation, while we sleep; too little sleep results in less protection against viruses
Cost: FREE
32. Why Lack of Sleep is Bad for Your Health
@NHSChoices
The English National Health Service (NHS) provides health and lifestyle advice in addition to information about services and health news. Their article, Why Lack of Sleep is Bad for Your Health, explores the ways in which sleep deprivation impacts people, from being in a bad mood and having difficulty focusing, to gaining weight, being diagnosed with heart disease, and acquiring diabetes.
Three key facts from Why Lack of Sleep is Bad for Your Health:
- Getting adequate sleep boosts your immune response so you are more capable of defending against diseases, viruses, and infections
- Sleep deprivation is associated with increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and increased levels of inflammation, all of which may lead to heart disease
- Sleeping fewer than five hours per night increases your risk of developing diabetes; failing to get restful sleep may lead to type 2 diabetes because lack of sleep changes the way the body processes glucose
Cost: FREE
33. 25 Horrible Things That Happen If You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
@businessinsider
@fedira
Business Insider shares what you need to know about virtually everything in sports, politics, life, and science. Senior science editor Lauren F. Friedman explains what happens to the nearly 40% of Americans who get fewer than seven hours of sleep per night and suffer the health implications because of their lack of sleep.
Three key facts from 25 Horrible Things That Happen If You Don’t Get Enough Sleep:
- Failing to get eight hours of sleep per night results in elevated heart rate and a greater risk of heart disease
- Sleep deprivation, whether prolonged or just for one night, limits your immune system’s ability to defend against viruses, infections, and other microorganisms
- Vaccines are less effective when people don’t get adequate sleep
Cost: FREE
34. 5 Experts Answer: Is Lack of Sleep Bad for Health?
@LiveScience
Live Science covers top stories in health, environment, animals, technology, and space. They asked internal medicine physicians and sleep experts to answer whether sleep deprivation harms people’s health. All five experts agree that lack of sleep is hazardous to physical and mental health.
Three key facts from 5 Experts Answer: Is Lack of Sleep Bad for Health?:
- Lack of sleep results in long-term consequences to our health, including an impaired immune system
- People who get fewer than six hours of sleep per night are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death versus people who get adequate sleep
- Getting fewer than six hours of sleep a night could cause dangerous fat deposition around vital organs
Cost: FREE
35. Sleep or Die
@MensFitness
Men’s Fitness is a source for exercise, health, and nutrition advice. Shelley Drozd’s article, Sleep or Die, highlights the dangers of getting six or fewer hours of sleep per night. As Drozd points out, sleep deprivation negatively impacts people’s mental and physical health.
Three key facts from Sleep or Die:
- Averaging fewer than five hours of sleep a night nearly doubles your chances of suffering a heart attack
- People who live the longest and are healthiest sleep between seven and eight hours per night
- Make your sleep as restful as possible because sleep-deprived people are more likely to have weakened immune systems
Cost: FREE
36. 10 Dangerous Side Effects of Lack of Sleep
MDhealth.com offers better health information from doctors. This MDhealth.com article highlights 10 of the most dangerous hazards caused by sleep deprivation and emphasizes the fact that lack of sleep has more serious side effects than being in a bad mood and having difficulty focusing.
Three key facts from 10 Dangerous Side Effects of Lack of Sleep:
- People who have irregular sleep patterns or who do not get restful sleep have a higher mortality rate than those who get adequate sleep, especially because their risk of cardiovascular disease increases
- The risk of developing chronic diseases increases when people get less sleep
- Sleep deprivation leads to an increased risk of diabetes, stroke, heart attack, heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure
Cost: FREE
37. Can Lack of Sleep Make You Sick?
Sleep Tight Applicances helps treat and provide treatment tools for people who suffer from sleep apnea. Their article, Can Lack of Sleep Make You Sick?, provides an overview of the correlation between sleep and good health and features the knowledge of Dr. Stephen Burds.
Three key facts from Can Lack of Sleep Make You Sick?:
- Sleep is essential to helping your body renew itself and fight illness and disease
- If you do not get adequate sleep, your immune system does not have the opportunity to produce protective proteins called cytokines
- Proper sleep lowers risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease
Cost: FREE
38. Sleep and the Immune System
@Sleepdex
Sleepdex is dedicated to raising awareness of sleep issues and encouraging people to take them seriously. In Sleep and the Immune System, Sleepdex details how a lack of sleep increases people’s vulnerability to disease.
Three key facts from Sleep and the Immune System:
- Sleep and the immune response are linked by circadian rhythm; when sleep is disrupted or limited, immune response becomes disrupted and limited
- Chronic inflammation makes people tired for longer periods of time, which contributes to symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue disorder
- Lack of sleep serves as a predictor for bacterial and viral infection
Cost: FREE
39. Lack of Sleep Can Lead to the Common Cold
@CNN
CNN’s Nadia Kounang reports that lack of sleep increases the risk of catching the common cold, as evidenced by a study that found 18% of people who slept six hours or more got a cold, while 39% of those who slept less than six hours did. The immune system is impacted in a variety of ways by lack of sleep including altered cell behavior and inflamed pathways.
Three key facts from Lack of Sleep Can Lead to the Common Cold:
- Adequate sleep enables the body to deliver a better immune response
- People need to view sleep as a tool for a healthy life
- Work toward getting better sleep by setting an alarm reminding you to go to bed, keeping your bedroom as dark as possible, and getting sunlight as soon as possible after waking up
Cost: FREE
40. Why a Lack of Sleep Makes You Feel So Awful
@Health24com
Health24.com is South Africa’s premier health and wellness site, providing world-class information and interactive tools for a healthy lifestyle. Their article touts the importance of sleep and explains how a lack of sleep affects daily life and impacts mental and physical health.
Three key facts from Why a Lack of Sleep Makes You Feel So Awful:
- Your body fails to function properly when you have a lack of sleep because it is during restful periods that the body actively restores fundamental chemical balance and keeps electrical currents flowing
- The day after inadequate sleep, people experience heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness
- Sleep improves your blood flow and gives cells time to restore themselves
Cost: FREE
41. The 10 Scary Things That Happen When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
@POPSUGARFitness
POPSUGAR Fitness shares trustworthy weight-loss tips, approachable workouts, healthy recipes, and the latest in health and celebrity trends. In this article about sleep deprivation and its effects on the body, POPSUGAR Fitness editor Leta Shy shares 10 effects of lack of sleep, some of which may surprise you.
Three key facts from The 10 Scary Things That Happen When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep:
- Women who sleep fewer than five hours per night are less likely to lives as long as those who got more sleep
- Chronic insomniacs have smaller, less-dense brains that affect their neurological systems such as decision making
- Adults who miss one hour of sleep have an increased risk for hypertension by almost 40%
Cost: FREE
42. Lack Of Sleep Could Make You Sick (And Overweight, Sluggish, Dumb, Stressed)
@Care2
@judymolland
Care2.com is the largest social network of activists creating petitions to make a difference and increase healthy living. In her Care2 article, Judy Molland explores the serious consequences that occur as a result of chronic sleep depression. In fact, one study found taht people who sleep for fewer than six hours per night for a week demonstrate substantial changes in genes that control metabolism, response to stress, and immune function.
Three key facts from Lack of Sleep Could Make You Sick (And Overweight, Sluggish, Dumb, Stressed):
- If you don’t get adequate sleep, you are at risk for a range of ailments, including heart disease and diabetes
- The optimal amount of sleep for most adults is 7-8 hours each night
- Lack of sleep is a main contributor to ceasing exercise, which also leads to obesity, heart problems, and more
Cost: FREE
43. Sleeping Less Than Six Hours a Night Skews Activity of Hundreds of Genes
@GuardianUS
@iansample
The Guardian covers American and international news for an online global audience. In Sleeping Less Than Six Hours a Night Skews Activity of Hundreds of Genes, The Guardian science editor Ian Sample details how sleep deprivation affects genes that govern the immune system, metabolism, and responses to stress.
Three key facts from Sleeping Less Than Six Hours a Night Skews Activity of Hundreds of Genes:
- Too little sleep for several nights in a row disrupts hundreds of genes essential to good health, such as associated with stress and fighting disease
- Poor sleep has a broad impact on long-term wellbeing
- Quality of sleep also is important to maintaining good health and immune response
Cost: FREE
44. 15 Hair-Raising Consequences of Sleep Deprivation
@lifehackorg
Lifehack.org is a source for tips on improving nearly any aspect of your life. Bartosz Czekala’s Lifehack article explores the ways in which sleep deprivation impacts people’s wellbeing.
Three key facts from 15 Hair-Raising Consequences of Sleep Deprivation:
- Sleep aids the immune system in producing cytokines that combat various viruses
- Sleep deprivation makes people more susceptible to disease and virus attacks
- Lack of sleep slows your metabolism and lowers body temperature to make you feel cold
Cost: FREE
45. New Research Confirms Lack of Sleep Connected to Getting Sick
@CarnegieMellon
Carnegie Mellon celebrates the hard work of its alumni, students, and researchers. One such celebration comes by way of New Research Confirms Lack of Sleep Connected to Getting Sick, an article by Shilo Rea that trumpets the work of Sheldon Cohen. In 2009, Cohen found that insufficient sleep is associated with an increased risk of catching a cold, and he recently confirmed the theory with researchers from UC San Francisco and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Three key facts from New Research Confirms Lack of Sleep Connected to Getting Sick:
- Insufficient sleep increases the risk of getting sick
- Sleep is just as important to health as diet and exercise
- The evidence is growing that sleep is important for good health
Cost: FREE
46. What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
@ClevelandClinic
The Cleveland Clinic shares the latest consumer health news and tips to help you stay healthy. One of their articles that aims to do just that, What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep reports the findings of a recent study that details sleep needs by age group to help ensure good health as a result of adequate sleep.
Three key facts from What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep:
- Lack of sleep may undermine your efforts of eating well and exercising regularly for good health
- Genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors contribute to determining the amount of sleep individuals need for health and daily performance
- Adequate sleep makes a substantial difference to health and wellbeing
Cost: FREE
47. People Who Don’t Get Enough Sleep are More Likely to Get Sick
@techinsider
Tech Insider features the latest news on tech, science, innovation, and culture. Guia Marie Del Prado highlights the risks of not getting enough sleep, such as increasing the likelihood of catching the common cold, in her Tech Insider article.
Three key facts from People Who Don’t Get Enough Sleep are More Likely to Get Sick:
- If you don’t get enough sleep, you are failing to boost your immune system
- People who don’t get enough sleep have higher levels of inflammation, which could be a sign of an immune system that is struggling to defend against pathogens and infections
- Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to chronic heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline
Cost: FREE
48. Lack of Sleep Quadruples Chances of Getting Sick
@UPI
United Press International (UPI) delivers breaking and other news from around the world. In his UPI article on the link between sleep and illness, Stephen Feller explores a study that found sleep is as critical to good health as exercise and diet.
Three key facts from Lack of Sleep Quadruples Chances of Getting Sick:
- People need to consider sleep as a necessary component of health and wellbeing
- Poor sleep patterns make people more susceptible to disease and chronic illness
- Inadequate sleep increases people’s risk of catching a cold
Cost: FREE
49. The Affect of Sleep on the Immune System
@ValleySleepCtr
Valley Sleep Center has the distinction of being a Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. In The Affect of Sleep on the Immune System, Valley Sleep Center explores the ways in which lack of sleep adversely affects health.
Three key facts from:
- Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system and makes its defenses less able to fend off infections and diseases
- There is a complex relationship between sleep-wake cycles and the immune system
- Even short-term sleep loss significantly impairs immune response
Cost: FREE
50. Think Sleep Deprivation Won’t Affect Your Immune System? Think Again
@EverydayHealth
Everyday Health strives to help you take better care of yourself and your family via weight-loss tools, expert advice, and health news and information. Their article, Think Sleep Deprivation Won’t Affect Your Immune System? Think Again, is written by Dr. Eric Cohen. Dr. Cohen takes an in-depth look at the ways in which a lack of sleep affects the immune system.
Three key facts from Think Sleep Deprivation Won’t Affect Your Immune System? Think Again:
- A person who fails to get enough sleep suffers inflammation that can lead to issues such as heart disease when the sleep deprivation, and therefore the inflammation, becomes chronic
- There is an increase in immune activity among people who suffer from a lack of sleep, which triggers allergies and asthma
- Prolonged lack of sleep affects metabolism and the immune system increases risk of chronic diseases
Cost: FREE
The post Can You Get Sick from Lack of Sleep? 50 Resources on the Impact of Sleep on Your Health and Well-Being appeared first on Del-Immune V.
