Despite widespread awareness of the importance of quality rest, the majority of adults are still not getting enough sleep. A new British study, the results of which were published in The Mirror , shows that almost 70% of people sleep less than the norm, and the consequences of this regime turned out to be more serious than previously thought.
The survey, conducted by Bedland in collaboration with GP Katrina O'Donnell, surveyed 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 99. The aim was to find out how sleep deprivation affects people's physical health, daily activities and even financial behaviour.
Researchers have recorded a significant increase in the so-called “sleep crisis” in the UK. Almost half of those surveyed regularly wake up in the middle of the night, and 47% constantly feel tired during the day. At the same time, poor sleep affects not only well-being: 56% of study participants admit that after sleepless nights they spend more money on basic goods and impulse purchases, and 40% often regret financial decisions made in a state of fatigue.
According to Katrina O'Donnell, getting less than seven hours of sleep a night can be detrimental to your health. She explains that getting just five to six hours of sleep a night almost doubles your risk of being diagnosed with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. It also increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.
The doctor emphasizes: people who sleep four hours or less are twice as likely to have problems with blood pressure and are more likely to face cardiovascular disorders. Chronic sleep deprivation can also significantly increase the risk of developing dementia in the future.
O'Donnell notes that poor sleep is linked to elevated levels of stress hormones, increased inflammation, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. In addition to the physical factors, disrupted sleep patterns increase the risk of depression and emotional disorders.
Doctors advise people who have persistent problems falling asleep or frequent nighttime awakenings not to delay consulting a doctor. According to experts, timely diagnosis and correction of sleep patterns help avoid serious long-term consequences.
