Many neglect the importance of sleep when it is one of the most important routines to prioritize. According to statistics, Filipinos have one of the highest rates of sleep deprivation in Asia—about 46 percent do not get enough sleep while 32 percent sleep for less than six hours.
Because Filipinos have little knowledge about the impact of sleep deprivation, it has now become a social issue and a public health epidemic. We have cited four major health consequences one will experience due to lack of quality sleep:
1. Worsens Symptom of Depression
Over time, lack of sleep contributes to the symptoms of depression. With Filipinos having a high rate of sleep deprivation, the rate of depressed individuals is also on the rise. Senator Risa Hontiveros, in her proposed “Mental Health Law,” noted that the Philippines has the highest number of depressed people in Southeast Asia. She added that one out of five Filipinos is suffering from a mental disorder.
Usually, depression leads to suicide. Studies reveal that cases of suicide are far more likely to occur after midnight. Sleep deprivation aggregates suicidal thoughts and this maybe is the reason why most suicide cases occur after midnight.
2. Increases Risks of Fatal Accidents
Many have already died due to fatal accidents. Among them was AJ Perez, a prime Filipino leading man of his time. Their van had collided with a Partas provincial passenger bus along McArthur Highway in Brgy. San Julian, Tarlac. According to his manager Ogie Diaz, everyone in the van was sleeping. The collision perhaps happened when the driver had fallen asleep while driving.
Driving requires your full attention. When you’re feeling drowsy, you lose control of yourself, thus putting your life at risk. Studies reveal that people who have slept for less than seven of the past 24 hours have higher odds of being involved in and responsible for car crashes.
3. Leads to Heart Disease, Hypertension and Diabetes
Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that lack of sleep increases one’s risk of life-threatening complications. When you lack quality sleep, the body tends to increase blood pressure and higher levels of chemicals linked to heart inflammation and affects the body’s ability to release insulin. Thus, sleep-deprived individuals have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Professionals in the showbiz industry can relate to this fact as their work requires them to stay awake on shooting or taping day. Lack of sleep can be the underlying cause of death of renowned director Wenn V. Deramas and comedian Chokoleit. Both of them died due to heart attacks.
4. Decreases Work Productivity
Lack of quality sleep affects an employee’s work performance. Sleep-deprived individuals have more difficulty concentrating, learning and communicating. Their memory lapses increase and problem-solving skills decline. Moreover, they tend to be moody and less tolerant of co-workers' differing opinions, making them more prone to reactionary outbursts and other relationship-destroying behaviors.
Combined, work and relationship problems increase stress levels, making you less productive at work.
5. Promotes Premature Death
According to a study by Francesco Cappuccio, head of Sleep Health and Society Program at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, people who sleep for less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night are at a higher risk of premature death. Even worse, those who sleep for less than six hours a night are 12 percent more likely to die early. Scientists believe that individuals who are sleep-deprived can develop diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol, thus increasing their risk of premature death as well.
What do these pieces of evidence speak? Sleep is the only way to reset the body. So, if you’re ignoring the importance of sleep and sleep-deprived often, you’re making your life easier by paving a path to an early death. SPONSORED CONTENT