In 1964, 17-year-old Randy Gardner stayed awake for 264.4 hours. That’s 11 days and 25 minutes. It was all part of the plan that would help him win a science fair. Little did he know, at the time, the impact this project would have on him. Two days into the experiment, he lost the ability to identify the objects by touch and had trouble repeating simple tongue twisters. By day three, Gardner became moody and uncoordinated, and by day five, he was hallucinating. At the end of the experiment, he was struggling to concentrate, had trouble with short-term memory, and became paranoid. The feat was even recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. According to reports, Garnder’s feat was surpassed many times during recent years, but the organisation has stopped accepting entries for the longest period spent without sleep as it could pose dangers to people’s health. Although Gardner recovered from this experiment, decades later, he reported having suffered from sleep deprivation and insomnia in an NPR interview.
Sleep is an essential function that allows our mind and body to recharge, helping us feel refreshed and relaxed when we wake up. According to the National Sleep Foundation, USA, adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and adolescents need about eight to 10. When it comes to sleep, our natural setting also plays an important role. The absence of light tells the body that it is time to rest. According to a TED-Ed video titled What would happen if you didn’t sleep, “The rise in sleep-inducing chemicals, like adenosine and melatonin, send us into a light doze that grows deeper, making our breathing and heart rate slow down and our muscles relax. This non-REM sleep is when DNA is repaired and our bodies replenish themselves for the day ahead.”
When we lose sleep, our ability to learn, memory, mood and reaction time become worse. As proven by the experiment mentioned above, sleeplessness can also cause hallucinations, high blood pressure, and it has even been linked to diabetes and obesity.
In our fast-paced society, getting a good night’s sleep has become a luxury. But if you continue to operate without getting adequate sleep, you may get more long-term health problems. Therefore, it is important to notice the signs that say you may be suffering from sleep deprivation. Here are a few of them.
You are moody and impulsive
Think about the time when you didn’t get enough sleep. How did you feel the next morning? Most of us feel irritable when we can’t sleep properly. Now, think about the time you slept well. How did you feel when you woke up? Chances are you felt energetic and focussed. Everyone feels better after a good night’s rest. According to a study, The Amygdala, Sleep Debt, Sleep Deprivation, and the Emotion of Anger: A Possible Connection?, “Individuals who get an adequate amount of sleep each night exhibit fewer emotional outbursts, such as anger, and display fewer aggressive behaviors.” Additionally, the study suggests that “getting an adequate amount of sleep each night promotes improved mood and health.”
Signs of sleep deprivation that should not be ignored include moodiness and impulsivity, weight gain, worsened memory, loss of emotional control, decreased productivity, and dozing off without realizing.
Sleep deprivation can lead to irritability, anger, and emotional outbursts. Getting an adequate amount of sleep each night promotes improved mood and reduces impulsive behaviours.
Lack of sleep increases impulsive and intense emotional responses. Sleep deprivation can cause individuals to react strongly to negative situations and lose control over their emotions more frequently.
Microsleep is a brief episode of sleep that can last from a few to several seconds. Experiencing microsleep, especially during tasks such as driving, is a dangerous sign of sleep deprivation.
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