Previous study shows that not getting enough sleep may damage a person's sensitivity to insulin which may cause diabetes and obesity. It was also found in one study that young people who get less than eight hours of sleep every night have more chances of gaining weight compared to those who get an adequate amount of rest.
Those who sleep at least 8 hours regularly have healthier hearts and less prone to cardiovascular diseases. These research studies prove how sleep deprivation affects one's health and may even lead to life threatening diseases.
Just recently, a new study found that lack of sleep can also be associated to losing one's sense of humor.
A study conducted in 2006 by researchers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, USA showed that when a person is exhausted, the creative part of the brain responsible in having fun and making jokes is being badly affected. An experiment was made in which participants were shown funny and interesting parts of a newspaper. Those who have not gotten enough sleep for two consecutive days didn't find the newspaper headlines and cartoons humorous. Having a good sense of humor requires the functioning of several brain activities such as alertness, creativity and divergent thinking.
These processes are also linked to emotions. Prefrontal Cortex is the part of the mind that directs all these activities. Dr. Neil Stanley, independent sleep specialist when speaking about this part of the brain stated, "This is the area of the brain most impacted by lack of sleep." Thus, those who do not get enough sleep every night are more prone to experience anxiety or depression.
According to WebMD, talking about the connection between sleep disorders and depression, "Having a sleep disorder does not in itself cause depression, but lack of sleep does play a role. Lack of sleep caused by another medical illness or by personal problems can make depression worse. An inability to sleep that lasts over a long period of time is also an important clue that someone may be depressed."
So if you don't want to feel cranky all the time and totally lost your good sense of humor when sleep deprivation is unavoidable, experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of nap to stimulate the mind and stay alert throughout the day.
