Research has shown that sleep is essential to good health. While we can skimp on sleep for a short while without major complications, sleep deprivation of any kind has an effect on the body.
Sleep is how the mind rests from the rigors of the day. Without it, mental function suffers. Lack of sleep causes confusion, distortion of memory and decreased mental capacity.
Not only can lack of sleep contribute to depression risk, but depression itself can cause changes to sleep patterns. A depressed person may experience difficulty getting off to sleep coupled with early morning wakening.
Long-term insomnia means that individuals are more susceptible to reacting badly to stressors. Denying our bodies of needed sleep places strain on every portion of the physical body. Organs and systems are forced to work when they should be resting. This gives our bodies little time to heal itself in preparation for the next day.
Aside from the increased risk for various mental and physical health problems, sleep deprivation for caregivers can have other noticeable consequences:
- Tiredness makes it harder for individuals to find enjoyment in life. If people are tired all the time, they don’t want to do anything. Maintaining a social life can be difficult due to a lack of energy.
- Poor concentration.
- Inability to perform tasks or process information easily and quickly.
- Decreased deftness of repetitive and perceptual skills.
Hillendale Home Care offers all of our clients and caregivers our wishes for energizing exercise for body and mind, healthy rest at night, and happy mornings every day!
