6 signs you're not sleeping properly

Is a lack of sleep affecting your life? According to sleep experts A.H. Beard, it’s been estimated that 80 per cent of sleep disorders are undiagnosed – which means that although you might think you’re getting enough sleep based on the fact you’re not feeling tired, other factors might be telling a different story.

“While you might be getting into bed early each night, this doesn’t assure you are getting the amount of sleep your body needs,” say the experts at A.H. Beard. In fact, they say that if you’re having difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, are waking up too early and are not able to get back to sleep, and/or rate your quality of sleep as poor, then chances are you’re sleep deprived – and tiredness is only just one of its many symptoms. Below are a few more signs that could be telling you you’re not sleeping properly. We’ll also reveal the perfect way for you to identify why you’re not sleeping well and the simple solutions to getting a good night’s sleep.

LACK OF SLEEP SYMPTOM #1: Mood swings and irritability

“An inadequate amount of sleep activates your amygdale, which is the part of your brain involved in rage and aggression,” say the experts at A.H. Beard. “This makes it more likely for you to become irritated, flustered and angered by things that normally wouldn’t bother you.”

LACK OF SLEEP SYMPTOM #2: Increased stress and anxiety

Sleep deprivation can lead to increased anxiety as a “lack of sleep decreases activity in your limbic system, which is responsible for regulating your anxiety." It can also make everyday tasks seem overwhelming and can hinder your ability to deal with stressful situations in a rational and logical manner.

LACK OF SLEEP SYMPTOM #3: Lowered immunity

When you sleep, your body produces cytokines, which help to fight infection and inflammation, so if you’re not getting enough sleep, your body also won’t be getting enough infection-fighting antibodies. Likewise, your body needs sleep to effectively recuperate from illness, which means that if you’re sleep-deprived it could take you much longer to get better.

LACK OF SLEEP SYMPTOM #4: Increased appetite

Find yourself reaching for biscuits and sugary treats every afternoon? Not getting enough sleep can affect your body’s natural rhythm and metabolic system, which can increase your appetite and make you feel hungry when you shouldn’t be. Scientists at the University of California have also found evidence that inadequate sleep can cause changes in brain activity that makes you crave high calorie, fattening foods.

LACK OF SLEEP SYMPTOM #5: Lacklustre looks

It’s no secret that dark circles and puffy, bloodshot eyes are directly related to a lack of sleep, but did you know that it can also cause dull, sallow skin and premature ageing, too? While you sleep your skin cells go into overdrive, working most effectively to repair environmental damage, enhance collagen and elastin production and restore the skin’s protective barrier. All of these things help to fight the signs of premature ageing and keep your complexion looking radiant and youthful – so if you’re sacrificing on sleep, you’re also sacrificing on good skin health, too.

LACK OF SLEEP SYMPTOM #6: Ineffectiveness at work

According to A.H. Beard, we continue to live by the myth that sleeping one hour less will give us one more hour of productivity. “In reality, the research suggests that even small amounts of sleep deprivation take a significant toll on our cognitive capacity and our productivity," which means you’re likely to work more effectively and efficiently when you’ve taken the time out to get a good night’s sleep.

Not sure why you’re not getting enough sleep or not sleeping through the night properly? Sign up now for the A.H. Beard 6 Week Sleep Challenge – it’s totally free! It’ll help you to identify the issues affecting your sleep, and you’ll also receive weekly tailored tips and advice on how to improve your sleep and general wellbeing. You’ll also go into the draw to win an A.H. Beard bed, valued at $4,000. Now if that’s not an incentive to sleep more, I don’t know what is!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for the 6 Week Sleep Challenge now!

Looking to get a really, really good night's sleep?  Click here for your chance to win one of four A.H. Beard The Incredible Pillows.

Do you feel like you might not be getting a good night's rest? How many of these symptoms apply to you?

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