7 Signs You're Not Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is an essential time for our cells to regenerate and help us be functional when we wake. It’s one of the first things we do if we notice things seem slightly off. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s a good sign you probably aren’t getting enough sleep:

1. You Have Low Energy

2. Your Appetite is Increased

3. You Get Sick Often

4. You’re Emotionally Unstable

5. You’re Having Trouble Making Decisions

6. Your Skin Looks Poor

7. Your Memory is Failing

Let’s get right into the importance of sleep and why lack of sleep can manifest in these ways.

1. You Have Low Energy

During sleep, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone. In adults, growth hormone helps maintain a healthy metabolism and balanced glucose levels. Glycogen, which stores energy, is also produced during sleep. When these systems are imbalanced, and glycogen levels are low, you tend to have less energy throughout the day.

2. Your Appetite is Increased

We just established that when glycogen levels are low, your energy is low. Your body’s natural reaction to low energy is to eat and refuel. This increase in appetite can eventually cause weight gain. Because energy levels are low, people with chronic sleep deprivation are less likely to exercise to balance out excessive consumption.

3. You Get Sick Often

Antibodies, which help fight off infection, and cytokines, which decrease inflammation in the body, are both produced during sleep. Both of these proteins are essential to help prevent and fight off infection. Without them, your body becomes more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. 

4. You’re Emotionally Unstable

One study has shown that lack of sleep disrupts your brain’s circuitry and causes hyperactivity in the amygdala, the part of the brain that regulates emotional response. In this scientific study, 26 people were split into a normal sleep group and a sleep-deprived group. They were then shown a series of pictures; some of which were emotionally triggering. There was significantly more activity measured in the amygdalas of the sleep-deprived group. This means sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to respond to things using emotion over reason.

5. You’re Having Trouble Making Decisions

Another part of the brain affected by sleep deprivation is the pre-frontal cortex. The pre-frontal cortex is the area of the brain responsible for judgment and decision-making. A study performed on 34 people measured decision-making processes in gambling situations before and after sleep deprivation. Participants were more likely to make high-risk decisions when sleep deprived.

6. Your Skin Looks Poor

Your body regenerates and repairs cells during sleep. This includes skin cells. Beyond cellular repair, the body produces collagen during sleep, a protein that improves skin elasticity. A study performed on 32 women in their 40s showed a correlation between sleep deprivation and skin hydration. Their skin was significantly less hydrated after lack of sleep. 

7. Your Memory is Failing

Sleep is a crucial time for your brain to sort through memories and strengthen the ones you want to keep. Not only is it important to sleep after learning new information, it’s also important to sleep before learning new information. Sleep actually primes your brain to learn new things effectively. If you notice you’re having trouble remembering things and retaining information, that’s a good sign you haven’t been getting enough sleep.

Sleep is crucial in repairing vital systems in the mind and body. It creates proteins necessary for energy regeneration, immune system support, skin repair, and appetite balance. It strengthens the parts of the brain responsible for memory function, emotional stability, and proper decision-making. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, there are many ways to improve this. 

One easy step you could take is to replace your pillow with one that promotes sleep through the use of herbs and organic materials. Hoppy Dreams pillows are the only pillows on the market that utilize a combination of herbs and alpaca fleece to help you achieve high-quality sleep every night. So your mind and body are ready to conquer the day!