While fitness and diet are key components of a healthy lifestyle, sleep is perhaps the most crucial aspect.
Recently, disturbing images have been produced to illustrate the potential appearance of a person consistently getting only six hours of sleep per night.
The 3D model, named Hannah, displayed various physical effects of chronic sleep deprivation, such as thinning hair, a slouched posture, and prematurely aged skin.
She was labeled as “a worst-case scenario prediction of what could happen to somebody if they do everything badly in terms of poor sleep routine and poor mattress support”.
In addition to affecting appearance, poor sleep can have significant long-term health consequences.
Experts from Dreams’ Sleep Matters Club noted: “Sleep is a natural and essential part of our day. As babies, we spend much of our time sleeping, while as adults, we often wish we had more time to sleep.
“Scientists haven’t yet determined an exact reason why we sleep, but they all agree that our brains and bodies must recharge and repair. While we sleep, our brain clears toxins and keeps everything running smoothly, helping our body function at its best.”
They further explained: “Sleep deprivation (a lack of sleep), whether it’s losing a couple of hours one night or more extreme situations, like the countless sleepless nights of new parents, can take a serious toll on our bodies. While it’s normal to go through periods of not getting enough sleep, it’s never pleasant and can affect our overall health.
“When we don’t get enough rest, it can impact our concentration, mood, and ability to carry out everyday tasks. It can also mess with our memory, and over time, sleep deprivation can contribute to long-term health issues, including problems with the immune system and heart health.”
The amount of sleep required is linked to sleep cycles.
“To feel fully refreshed when we wake up, we must go through all four sleep cycle stages and reach deep sleep,” the experts claim. “Your sleep flows through stages of light, deep, and REM sleep every 90 minutes, each vital for physical repair, mental clarity, and emotional balance.”
To determine the optimal bedtime for completing at least four sleep cycles, Dreams offers a sleep calculator accessible here.