"If you're going to do something tonight that you'll be sorry for tomorrow morning, sleep late.
Henny Youngman"
Everyone had intervals in their lives where they went on a streak, where they didn’t sleep. Either they partied for days, worked for days, or were simply insomniacs-well, the list goes on and on. Obviously, losing sleep, and sleeping below the expected time you should rest is unhealthy, and it gradually can make a huge negative impact on your body. Going without rest for 24 hours once in a while (and when I say once in a while, I mean only when you desperately can’t have sleep as an option- for example, winning 1 million dollars for not sleeping…situations like that) isn’t too bad, however it worsens by the hour.
There is somewhat some sort of no sleep effect cycle that various people encounter (also, this info is coming from someone who didn’t sleep for 3.5 days!). The cycle is as follows: Day 1 without rest – Many might experience low concentration, and contain a noticeably smaller attention span, but to be honest if you regularly to get a good amount of sleep, one day shouldn’t affect you too much…however everyone is different. Countless people will also face lassitude, and have decreased coordination. By around the end of the 2nd day, most notice sudden hunger, an even larger loss of focus, and fatigue worsens. Temperature around eyes might get bi-polar. The interesting stuff begins to happen by the end of the 3rd day- you are left with a very small percent of concentration; you might find yourself trying to concentrate on something, however you get no positive result. Instead of Fatigue, you might get other feelings such as nervousness and anxiousness. By day 4, you should feel exhaustion return, and your body starts to break down…you lose track of time. To summarize Days 5, 6, and 7 in couple of words: First, it is possible you might start hallucinating- you might find yourself believe you are eating dinner with your family, and suddenly realize you are in your room lying down on the floor. Later on, you begin to visualize and even feel illusions…shadows, abnormal objects around you appearing etc. It gets intense…
What is exactly happening to your body when you don’t sleep? First off, your brain suffers the most damage. Neurotransmitters (send messages to your body to make actions) will alter negatively. Your coordination overall and permanently can worsen; especially if you are a child (which, if you’re a child, can stunt your growth as well). It is also known that you become more vulnerable to infections, diseases, sicknesses, etc. Your attitude will collapse to the depths of irritation and impatience.
This blog will most likely not influence someone to take the rest instead of working, however what can be done is show you what you can do to survive on as little sleep as possible, at the same time staying more or less healthy… or should I say train your body to function for the next day. EXCERSIZE AND EXCERSIZE! Moving around is great for starting up your endorphin. Eating helps as well- and for those diet freaks out there, I’m not talking roughly just a bacon egg and cheese…even couple bites out of an apple can help you stay alert, and help you avoid illusions and excessive fatigue. Obviously caffiene helps, but many already know the deal about energy boosting drinks- from coffee to red bull (they aren’t healthy!). Temperature around you can also be an influence- taking a slightly colder bath will definitely keep you awake. Lastly, heard of power naps? A 25-30 minute nap can make you feel rested, and boost mental ability. (Try to keeping it couple minutes below 30, because after 30 you may be in the dream stage of your sleep, which is very hard to wake up from naturally like you would do with a 25 minute nap.)
Sleep well.
