How Sleep Deprivation Throws Off Your Routine

Have you ever had to get through your day on just a few hours of sleep?

You had planned a productive day that started with your morning routine. You'd wake up at 5:00 AM, answer emails and get mentally prepared for the day. But since you were tossing and turning into the wee hours of the morning, 5:00 AM comes way too soon. And then, you spend the rest of the day trying to catch up. By about 3:00 PM it's like you've hit a wall. You grab another cup of coffee, but it just doesn't work.

If you go through long stretches without sleep, the side effects can be more damaging. In this post, explore how sleep deprivation throws off your routine in the short term and in the long term.

How short-term sleep deprivation throws off your routine
The biggest and most obvious effect of short-term sleep deprivation is daytime sleepiness. But it's not the only side effect you'll experience when you're not sleeping enough.

You probably also noticed that you have a shorter temper when you haven't slept well. This is because sleep deprivation can have a major impact on your mood.

When you aren't sleeping well, you're also more likely to experience symptoms like anxiety, forgetfulness, and brain fog. Even if you have a productive daily routine, it's difficult to stick to it when you're tired. And it all starts with that morning wake up call. If you haven't slept well, you're more likely to hit the snooze button when your alarm goes off in the morning.

Sleeping late can cause you to skip parts of your morning routine that help your day go more smoothly. This can have a domino effect, damaging all parts of your routine throughout the day.

If your sleep troubles only last one night, it's easy to get back on course. And if you suffer from any sort of insomnia, you'll start to notice the long-term effects of sleep deprivation. And they can have a bigger impact on your routine.

How long-term sleep deprivation throws off your routine
If you're consistently getting too few hours of sleep each night, you eventually notice the effects of sleep deprivation on your health.

Long term sleep deprivation can have an impact on your immune system, heart health and can contribute to obesity.
But there's one symptom of long-term sleep deprivation that will have a consistently negative impact on your routine. That symptom is depression.

Depression is about the biggest wrench you can throw into your routine. When you're feeling depressed, it's difficult to find the energy to do many things, especially those things you don’t even want to do.

In the long and short term, sleep deprivation affects your schedule, mood, and overall quality of life.

How to get a better night's rest
This may be hard to believe, but sometimes sleep deprivation is self-induced.

Some people believe that if they stay awake longer, they can be more productive. Unfortunately, that belief is not rooted in reality. If you're only sleeping 4 or 5 hours a night, you're probably dealing with some level of brain fog during the day.

If you don't believe it, give it a try. Go 2 weeks with 8 hours of sleep each night and just see how you feel. A better night's rest will help keep you focused and on your routine throughout the day. And if you're in the camp that finds sleep elusive, try these tips to get a better night's rest.

Skip the nightcap
Many people mistakenly believe that a nightcap before bed will help them sleep better. In reality, the opposite is true. Alcohol before bed may help you drift off to sleep faster, but it will keep you from Experiencing deep R.E.M sleep.

Enjoy a tech-free hour
It's common to watch television, play on your phone, or work on your computer straight up until bedtime – but these habits could be interfering with your sleep.

Research shows that the blue light from the television or your or your laptop can mess with your circadian rhythm. And this could mean it takes longer for you to fall asleep. Try turning off the television and shutting down your phone and laptop in the hour before bed.

If you have a schedule that causes you to go to sleep early or wake up late, invest in some good room darkening shades. This way, the sun will never interfere with your sleep.

Conclusion
We all get the same number of hours in a day. And to make the most of them, it's important to stick to a routine. But if you suffer from insomnia, you probably know that this is the biggest enemy of routine.

Try small shifts to help you get a better rest at home. And if you're still having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor. Insomnia could be a sign of a deeper health issue.