Sleep is a TERRIBLE Thing to Waste...

Some people have this romantic notion of sleep that it's not really all that important… or that missing a few winks ain't a big deal… Oh, how WRONG they are… I can't tell you how many times I've heard this overwheming sense of pride come along with pulling an all-nighter… The one that REALLY gets me is "sleep might make you miss out on an opportunity"… No, no, no… Lots of folks just don't get how important sleep really is… Are you one of those people?… Well, maybe after I drop some knowledge on you, you'll change your tune. Here are 3 aspects of your life that can be royally screwed by missing out on your sleep…

1. The Physical: Have you ever heard of beauty sleep?… That's a REAL thing! According to a recent study conducted at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center (2013), sleep deprivation is linked to a whole gang of physical issues!
-AGING:

People who don't sleep as well have more fine lines, wrinkles, and less skin elasticity than those who get their beauty sleep. 

-INFLAMMATION ISSUES: They also let us know that those who are sleep-deprived have a harder time coming back from a sunburn AND they experience slower weight loss or weight gain.
                        

 -WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM: The Mayo Clinic suggests that lack of sleep                                   leads to all kinds of little diseases like diabetes, strokes, heart disease, and other cardiovascular issues…  
                                                                                      You know, nothing serious…

2. The Mental: According to the Harvard Medical School, a sleep-deprived brain can experience...

-LACK OF EFFICIENCY: A sleepy brain works harder.

-MEMORY: short-term memory? Long-term memory? What's that?...

-DIMINISHES RESPONSE TIME: Driving while sleepy can be as bad as driving with a .08 BAL.

-PSYCHOSIS: sleep deprivation can lead to hallucinations, paranoia, & irrational aggression. 

3. The Emotional:

-MOOD DISORDERS: Sleep deprivation increases the risk of developing anxiety & depression. 

-EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY: The ability to control & maintain emotions are seriously affected when sleep deprived. 

So, in other words, if you want mental health, rest your eyes!!!

Now, am I advocating laziness or sleeping all day?... Of course not... Many academic sources, including The National Sleep Foundation, suggest that, depending on age, the healthy amount of sleep for an adult is 7-9 hours per night. 

To sum it up... If you wanna really be healthy, successful... or sane... Get some sleep. Sleep is not for the weak, it's for the wise!