Women are staying up late to reclaim their personal time. But what is the true cost of putting off sleep? You might gain an hour or two of me-time — a precious commodity in today's busy world — but what women lose when they miss sleep is far more valuable.
The true cost of staying up late
Sleep deprivation affects more than your coffee consumption. Here's what you're really giving up when you stay up late.
It's harder to meet fitness goals when you're not sleeping well. That's because sleep deprivation spikes your appetite, makes it harder to control food, and triggers the body to store belly fat.
Sleep deprivation also makes you more likely to get injured and slows recovery. In fact, one recent study found sleep to be the biggest factor affecting injury prevention and recovery.
One of the most under appreciated effects of poor sleep is its impact on mental health. Poor sleep is associated with emotional instability, anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating, among other mental health effects.
On the flip side, when you do sleep well, your body has time to rest, repair, and grow. During sleep, the body also boosts its immunity, regulates stress and hormones, and processes new information.