How People Pay for Sleep Debt
Sleep is a state of complete relaxation
People who consistently do not get enough sleep eventually incur sleep debt which they may need to pay at the cost of their health if not properly addressed. Depending on the degree of sleep deprivation, humans will experience different physical, psychological, and emotional manifestations that will tell them that they are not getting enough sleep. Deprivation of sleep can be either chronic or acute.
Sleep and Its Benefits
Sleep is defined as a state or period of complete or partial unconsciousness which is considered normal in humans. It is divided into two main types which are rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) which is subdivided into three stages. People go through all stages to complete the cycle of sleep. Dreams usually occur in the REM stage.
Sufficient sleep promotes physical health and emotional well-being. It is also being credited for longevity of life. The body is repaired while sleeping to help it fight harmful elements and stress. Attainment of a healthy cardiovascular system also requires providing enough time for sleep as it helps reduce the levels of stress and inflammation related to heart disease and strokes. Sleep likewise reduces stress because of the occuring state of relaxation.
Sleep also helps control issues related to increased body weight brought upon by the corresponding increase in appetite for foods that are rich in carbohydrates and fats. Lack of sleep commands the body to compensate for the lack of energy due to the disruption of normal hormone balances. People who do not get enough sleep are also more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes due to the inefficient processing of glucose. Sleep also promotes good memory and reduces the possibility of having mood disorders due to chronic lack of sleep.
How Much Sleep Do We Need?
There is no specific number of hours that will magically work for everybody. The optimum length of sleep of every individual varies according to need and lifestyle. There are however recommended number of hours of sleep depending on age as follows:
| AGE AND CONDITION | SLEEP NEEDS |
| Newborns (0–2 months) | 12 to 18 hours |
| Infants (3–11 months) | 14 to 15 hours |
| Toddlers (1–3 years) | 12 to 14 hours |
| Preschoolers (3–5 years) | 11 to 13 hours |
| School-age children (5–10 years) | 10 to 11 hours |
| Adolescents (10-17 years) | 8.5 to 9.25 hours |
| Adults, including elderly | 7 to 9 hours |
| Pregnant women | 8(+) hours |
Source: Wikipedia
A person will know if he or she is getting enough sleep based on his or her level of energy, mood, and state of health. A general rule of thumb is that a person must be able to perform expected tasks during waking hours without feeling sluggish and sleepy. In determining the correct amount of sleep, it is important to consider individual circadian rhythms directly related to the human biological clock.
How Humans Incur Sleep Debt
In simplest terms, people incur sleep debt by continuously or consistently depriving themselves of sufficient amount of sleep. When accumulated in large amounts, the deprivation will be manifested through physical, emotional, and mental fatigue. This will include self-imposed deprivation of sleep as well as lack of sleep due to a disorder or illness.
Repaying Sleep Debt
Unlike long-term financial debts which we can pay with interest to come clean, long-term sleep debt can never be fully repaid. We are only allowed to pay off the most recent ones through additional sleep. It is therefore important to meet our sleeping needs on a daily basis. Failure to do so in a consistently abusive manner will require us to pay our sleep debt with serious illnesses. Of course there are those who believe otherwise but why risk abusing your body when you can be a lot kinder to it through sufficient sleep? No amount of sleep can reverse a systemic disease when already acquired.
My Say
There is a reason why our body tells us that we need sleep. We need to acknowledge that need and act on it or else suffer for it through sickness and diseases. Having enough sleep will ensure that we will not incur sleep debt to the detriment of our health.
Karen
I usually lack 2 hours of sleep during weekdays because of my work condition. However, during my day-off I sleep almost the whole day.
Teresa Martinez
It is a good thing that you have the chance to recover from sleep lack.
Rizza Javier
Sleep is very important not only for childrens; but adults alike. That’s why people with graveyard shifts are paid extra; as they are being deprived of an important part of “living”.
Teresa Martinez
That is true. It is a fact that day sleep is not the same as night sleep so it eventually takes a toll on one’s health.
Ted Claudio
I definitely agree with these facts. When I am sleep deprived for a long period, my immune system weakens and I easily catch colds or get soar throat infections.
Teresa Martinez
Sufficient sleep is really necessary for well-being.
ronleyba (@ronniedare)
Me needs some sleep. I think I have a debt of sleep for my body. I need a good one as I write this.
Teresa Martinez
Our body speaks to us quite clearly when we lack sleep and rest.
jane
wow indeed people shud stop killing themselves and start sleeping or they will pay it in the future! xx
Teresa Martinez
We sometimes forget the basic things that our body needs.
lovemindanao
i always have a sleep debt because of my travel … but after i come back… i stay inside my room for the whole day …
Teresa Martinez
We should replenish right away whatever sleep deficiency we have. The danger is in the continuous deprivation of sleep.
Lessons Of A Dad
This is big. I pride myself for living a very healthy lifestyle EXCEPT for sleep debt.
Teresa Martinez
Sleep and rest is usually something we neglect to input into the health computation.
amayachika
Good topic. I need this kind of advice. Doing two statuses at the same time need time management especially in sleeping. Thanks for sharing.
Teresa Martinez
Sleep time should really be included in our time management schedule. Sometimes, we stuff too much activities in a day that we forget that our bodies need rest as well.
Fashion and Beauty Blog
In my case, I eat more when I’m sleep-deprived. But I always make it a point not to abuse my body because it’s true that we cannot pay sleep debt. So we must ensure that we get a good sleep every night.
Teresa Martinez
That is why there is a tendency to gain weight when we are sleep-deprived as we try to compensate to get the required energy we need for the day.