What happens to our bodies when we do not sleep for 24 hours? Let’s find out if we do not sleep 24 hours it will have a bad effect on our health?
Can we practice staying awake for 24 hours?
When we do not sleep for 24 hours it is harmful to our body because we begin to have problems with memory, cognitive activities, physical problems, mood swings, and the like.
We should constantly try to emphasize the importance of good and quality sleep.
Also called “sleep hygiene”, practicing regular, long, and quality sleep has a huge impact on our mental and physical health.
But often due to various obligations we are in a situation to sacrifice sleep and thus have more time for work.
Students often skip sleep in order to stay up at night and study. Also, people who work multiple shifts are often the ones who skip the night as a sleep period.
Regardless of the need, it has happened to all of us to stay awake all night.
This means staying awake for 24 hours or more. This practice of skipping sleep in order to complete an obligation is becoming more common, especially among the younger population.
However, it is insufficiently emphasized how much it is actually harmful and at the end of the day impractical activity.
This should not be confused with insomnia, because this kind of skipping sleep is something we do purposefully and with our own desire.
Why is sleep at night important?
It is estimated that approximately one-third of our lives will be spent sleeping.
This means that the dream is irreplaceable and a big part of our life, and it is so for a reason.
In our body, there is an internal biological clock or the so-called circadian rhythm.
This rhythm is a set of physical and mental changes, as well as behavioral changes, that follow the 24-hour day-night cycle.
These natural changes in the body are mainly driven by light, ie by day and night.
At the end of the day and the beginning of the night, the body begins to secrete the hormone melatonin which makes us feel sleepy and helps maintain this drowsiness throughout the night.
Having quality sleep at night allows us to function normally the next day.
It also allows us to control our metabolism and body weight, good mood, reduces the risk of various diseases, and so on.
Science confirms that much of our health can be linked to good sleep.
There is a strong link between sleep and our overall health and immune system.
What are the effects of skipping sleep 24 hours?
Such insomnia has a strong and potentially serious detrimental effect on our health.
Sleep is necessary for the normal function of the organism and is a time when almost all tissues in the body are renewed and healed.
read more: Women Sleep need 20 Minutes more than Men
What happens to our body if we do not sleep for 24 hours
1. Change in cognitive functions
Staying awake all night immediately affects a number of brain functions and the ability to think normally.
This lack of sleep reduces the range of our attention and concentration.
Reaction time is slowed down, and constructive, logical thinking is difficult.
These difficulties are also related to emotional intelligence, ie the way we understand and react to people and events around us.
2. We will have a weaker memory
Not sleeping all night has a negative effect on our memory.
Also, the memory that has a temporary function, ie the memory needed to perform non-repetitive tasks, is impaired.
Interestingly, some studies have linked sleepless nights to the effects of alcohol.
Research shows that after 24 hours without sleep, a person’s mental performance is the same as when functioning with 0.1 per mille of alcohol in the blood.
If we try and continue to function without sleep the next day, the effects on the body are even more numerous and worrying.
The body will fight the need for sleep, we will feel tired, irritable and it is possible to have the so-called micro-sleep.
It is actually “falling asleep” for a few seconds, which in some situations can be really dangerous.
It is considered that in professions that carry a huge responsibility, such as skipping sleep is unacceptable and potentially dangerous.
3. Mood swings if we do not sleep 24 hours
That’s right, and here’s the reason for the bad mood.
Lack of sleep is associated with the secretion of the stress hormone – cortisol.
Research has also linked sleep deficits to anxiety.
Without enough sleep, we become much more nervous, irritable, tired, and in a bad mood.
4.. Impacts on physical health
Fatigue and low energy levels are more pronounced when the muscles and organs in the body do not have time for reparation and recovery – processes that occur when we sleep.
One study found that physical activity or endurance physical activity was severely reduced in athletes who skipped a full night’s sleep.
5. May affect your sleep patterns
If we do not sleep all night, we can disrupt our sleep patterns.
This is especially true if such a milder disorder has existed before.
It is recommended to maintain a certain rhythm of sleep and practice good “sleep hygiene”.
However, a missed night does not mean that we will immediately disrupt our biorhythm.
If the habit of not sleeping all night is practiced infrequently, most people will return to their previous sleep rhythm.
Studies generally show that adults cope better with sleep deprivation than children and adolescents.
In addition, one study shows that our genetics may also play a role in determining how much sleep deficit we have.
Is skipping sleep for greater productivity a good idea?
The effects of this deficit are immediately visible and obvious on your body and brain.
This practice should be avoided and in no case can it be considered as an option for gaining extra time in which you will be productive.
Even for students who would spend the night studying, this is a bad idea and they do not get much benefit.
Their concentration and memory are severely impaired and the effects of staying awake can even be counterproductive.
read more: New Research – How Much Sleep Do I Need?
The effects of skipping nights as a sleep time can be especially serious and worrying for drivers of vehicles or machines.
These activities require serious concentration, focus, and vigilance.
What if we have to stay up all night?
If you have no choice but to stay awake at night, there are some tips that can help you feel and function better.
The need for sleep and the above-mentioned phenomena will certainly occur, but their effect can be mitigated and partially controlled.
Drink enough water-hydration is very important when you not slepping all day.
Work in a well-lit environment – the light will make it easier for us to be awake and fight the need for sleep.
Eat healthy foods – avoid processed foods and foods rich in sugars.
They temporarily give us a feeling of increased energy, but after that effect, we will feel tired and sleepy.
Be active – if you can, try and move your body occasionally.
Straighten up and stretch, this way you improve circulation and help yourself stay awake
In addition, try to stay awake for as short a time as possible and use the first opportunity for a long and quality sleep.
The longer we are without sleep, the more harmful it is to the body and the effects of sleep deprivation are more pronounced and potentially dangerous.
It is important to explain this practice and to capture and clarify the harmful effects of its application.
People often deceive themselves and think that they can replace the time spent sleeping with “more productive” activities.
The opposite is the case.
Conclusion
Staying awake for 24 hours is harmful to our health for many reasons.
If we do not sleep for 24 hours, there is a decrease in cognitive activities, poor memory, physical fatigue, and other problems.
If you already have to stay awake, drink more water, be active, eat healthy food, and more.
Sleep is one of the most important things our body needs, so sleep should not be avoided.
read more: Sleeping too much is Good and Healthy, but How Much?
