JUST 3 NIGHTS OF BAD SLEEP DESTROYS YOU!
NOT getting enough shut-eye for just three days in a row can “greatly deteriorate” your physical and mental well-being — and may even trigger feelings of loneliness and anger, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of South Florida’s School of Aging Studies in Tampa examined the consequences of getting fewer than six hours of sleep nightly in a study involving nearly 2,000 healthy, middle-aged adults over eight consecutive days.
Experts consider six hours the bare minimum of sleep required for adults, with seven to nine hours being the recommended range.
The scientists found subjects reported feeling irritable, frustrated, nervous and/or lonely after just one night of rotten rest. The study participants also claimed they experienced more aches and pains.
The researchers say concerning effects progressively grew in intensity and peaked for some participants after three days of continued poor sleep.
But they add subjects who experienced six days of steady snoozing problems reported the most severe physical ailments, including upper respiratory issues, prolonged aches and gastrointestinal complaints.
Lead study author Dr. Soomi Lee warns when getting less than six hours of sleep a night becomes a habit, it can be difficult for the body to readjust and daily well-being may be negatively impacted.
“Many of us think that we can pay our sleep debt on weekends and be more productive on weekdays,” says Lee.
“However, results from this study show that having just one night of sleep loss can significantly impair your daily functioning.”