The importance of adequate sleep they are huge for our health. If you sleep less than seven hours every night, you may notice various negative effects on your body and mind. Let’s look at five of the most important consequences that lack of sleep can have.

Your thinking becomes slower

When you don’t get enough sleep, your ability to think quickly and deal with problems decreases. Research has shown that after two consecutive nights without adequate sleep, our reactions become slower and we have more difficulty adapting to new situations.

You start to forget things

Sleep is essential for enhancing and maintaining memory. Studies have linked insufficient sleep to an increased risk for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s. In addition, short-term memory is directly affected, as during sleep memories are strengthened and consolidated.

Anxiety and sadness increase

It makes sense that when you’re tired, you’re more likely to feel stressed or sad. Chronic lack of sleep can contribute to the development of depression, as sleep is essential for emotional well-being.

Decreased sexual desire

Exhaustion negatively affects your sex life. Studies show that an extra hour of sleep can increase sexual desire, especially in women, by 14%. Those who sleep more report greater sexual arousal.

Your immune system weakens

Lack of sleep makes you more vulnerable to illness. Studies have shown that when you sleep less than seven hours, you are almost three times more likely to catch a cold. Also, adequate sleep helps to strengthen the immune system, facilitating the production of antibodies that fight infections.

Taking care of our sleep is fundamental to staying healthy and energized, and the above implications remind us why we should prioritize our rest.