Are you grumpy, yawning a lot and struggling to make it through the afternoon? Chances are you aren’t getting enough sleep. While it sometimes feels impossible to get the recommended 7 to 9 hours sleep a night, it’s essential as it helps your body restore itself physically and mentally and prepare you for the next day.
So how do you know if you aren’t getting enough sleep? Here are 7 signs which may indicate you need some more shut-eye:
1. Bad mood
Lack of sleep can make you grumpy, impatient and less tolerant. It can make you feel more stressed out and less able to cope with things. Sleep is linked to your mental health – if you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re more likely to feel depressed and anxious.
2. Trouble concentrating/emotional
We all know that feeling of not being able to concentrate due to not enough sleep. A lack of sleep also makes it difficult to make decisions and remember things. This can affect your productivity at work, ability to drive or carry out other tasks. Struggling to keep your emotions in check can also be a sign you aren’t getting enough sleep.
3. Hunger/weight gain
If you haven’t had enough sleep, you might find yourself hungrier than usual. This is your body’s way of finding energy and you’ll often crave unhealthy food that is high in fat and sugar. The downside is that you might find your waistline expanding due to the increase in calories. Also, a lack of energy makes it harder to exercise during the day, therefore leading to weight gain.
4. You look rough
Do you have dark circles under your eyes? Is your skin dull and unhealthy looking? When you sleep, your body repairs damaged cells so not enough sleep can really show on your face.
5. Lower libido
When you’re tired, your libido can suffer. The last thing you feel like doing is expending energy and working up a sweat. Lack of sleep lowers your testosterone, a hormone that plays a key role in a person’s sex drive.
6. You feel sleepy
There’s no surprises here – if you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, you’re more likely to feel sleepy the next day. You may feel especially tired in the afternoon and have trouble staying awake.
7. You get sick more often
If you find yourself getting sick often, it could be due to a lack of sleep. When you’re tired and your body is run down, your immune system is weakened, therefore increasing your chance of catching colds and other ailments.
| If you’re having ongoing sleep issues, or you still feel unwell despite getting enough sleep, please consult your GP or health professional as there may be other causes. |
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