The Connection Between Your Health and How You Sleep

Did you know that sleep quality plays a major role in your overall health? Having one bad night’s sleep can have some immediate effects, but when there is longer-term sleep loss there can be major health impacts.[1] Learn more about the connection between sleep and your health below.

Short term, some of the health impacts of sleepless nights include dark circles, hunger pangs, feeling unfocused, common colds, and a lack of sex drive.[1] Longer term, lack of sleep could lead to serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and stroke.[1] Plus, lack of sleep can play a role on your immunity, making you more susceptible to a cold.[2]

Diving deeper, there are major links between sleep deprivation and type 2 diabetes.[3] With sleep loss, your body creates less insulin but more stress hormones, meaning too much glucose can develop in the bloodstream and your risk of type 2 diabetes may increase. In addition, throwing off your appetite and reducing your desire to exercise are two side effects of lack of sleep that can impact your weight management and blood sugar control.

Overall, monitoring your sleep and striving to reach 7-9 hours per day can help you avoid some of these risks of a more serious condition. It’s important to know the role of sleep on your health so you can take charge of your nights.

Looking to improve your sleep? Try a few of these quick tips!

• Create a sleep-inducing bedroom

• Optimize your sleep schedule

• Make a routine for before bedtime

• Foster good sleep habits during the day[4]

[1]This Is Your Body on No Sleep. National Sleep Foundation.
[2]How Sleep Affects Your Immunity. National Sleep Foundation.
[3]Link Between A Lack of Sleep and Type 2 Diabetes. National Sleep Foundation.
[4]Healthy Sleep Tips. National Sleep Foundation.