Surviving on No Sleep
Surviving on no sleep is tough, especially during festive seasons. Long working hours and deadlines often force us to stay awake at night, leading to sleepless nights and exhausting days. The question of how to survive on no sleep remains unanswered, while the harmful effects are often overlooked.
Importance of Sleep
Internal Medicine specialist Dr. Suchismitha Rajamanya mentions that getting six to seven hours of sleep is essential to feel well-rested and re-energized. Adequate sleep is crucial for various bodily functions, physical and mental performance, tissue repair, and muscle growth. It also plays a vital role in regulating hormonal balance, immune function, and metabolism. Lack of sleep is linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression, and cancer.
Recovery After Sleepless Night
Dr. Rajamanya emphasizes that sleeping more is the only way for the body to recover from a sleepless night. However, it may take days for the body to make up for the lost sleep. Even 24 hours of sleep deprivation can lead to lack of concentration, irritability, drowsiness, decreased productivity, impaired coordination, and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Concerns About Sleepless Nights
Studies show that over 17-19 hours of no sleep affects the body similarly to having a 0.05% blood alcohol content. Sleepless nights become concerning when they start to affect normal functioning, impair thought process and concentration, and interfere with tasks such as driving and heavy lifting.
6 Tips to Get Through the Day Following a Sleepless Night
If you have had a sleepless night, try these practical tips to get through the next day:
1. Stay Well-Hydrated
Adequate hydration is crucial after a sleepless night to combat fatigue.
2. Reduce Strenuous Work
Less than eight hours of sleep can increase the chances of injury, so it’s advisable to avoid strenuous activity.
3. Avoid Activities Such as Driving
Being less alert after a sleepless night makes driving dangerous, so avoid it if possible.
4. Abstain from Caffeinated Drinks
Limit caffeine consumption as it can further disrupt your sleep.
5. Try to Take a Power Nap
A short nap can help combat sleepiness and boost cognitive performance.
6. Avoid Making Important Decisions
Concentration and decision-making are compromised when sleep-deprived.
Overall, these tips can help alleviate the effects of sleep deprivation and improve your day after a sleepless night.
