How do you know if you are getting enough sleep?

Sleep is a basic function of the body but practically it is not so self-evident! What happens to us when we do not sleep well?

How many times have you dreamed of a weekend with good food and sleep? Sleep is essential for our health and well-being. However, it is not a self-evident habit for many of us! The World Health Organization, recognizing the importance of sleep, designated the third Friday in March as World Sleep Day. Also, the Greek Ministry of Health gives us the fact that more than two million Greeks seem to suffer from sleep disorders. Terms such as "insomnia", "sleep deprivation", "sleep apnea" have been mentioned in the vocabulary of people worldwide. These conditions lead to a loss of sleep quality, which in turn can lead to many health problems, such as weight gain, hypertension, heart diseases, stroke, and diabetes.

What are the effects of the lack of sleep?

Sleep is vital for the health of your body. What we need to do is to "listen" to our body it “rings the bell” that we do not sleep well! Lack of sleep can give, among others, the following "symptoms":

• Lack of spiritual clarity. Chronic sleep deprivation causes distraction, impedes learning, suppresses creativity, but also makes it difficult to make the right decisions, and therefore performance at work since the brain is too tired to do anything!
• Bad mood. How many times did a bad night's sleep make you feel irritated or in a bad mood for the rest of the day?
• Increased reaction time. Lack of sleep causes symptoms such as when you are under the influence of alcohol. The reaction time becomes longer and we cannot concentrate and coordinate our movements adequately. So, it is recommended not to drive when you are sleepless.
• Increased hunger. The less you sleep, the greater the need to resort to food rich in carbohydrates and fat in order to replace the sense of fullness that sleep offers you.
• It affects the immune system. Doctors always recommend good food and rest when you are sick. Sleep is the way your body is cured. So, when you do not get enough sleep you are more prone to colds and flu or other infections.
• Skin problems. Long-term sleep deprivation can actually make your skin dull with pimples that you would not normally have.