Sleep is essential to our body functions just like food, water and air. Sleep deprivation has direct and detrimental effects on our productivity, mood, health and quality of life in general. A sleep deprived person is not effective, more irritable, and if the sleep deprivation is prolonged, more susceptible to illness and/or injury. Also, due to the lack of proper regular tissue maintenance that happens during sleep; a sleep deprived body will age faster.

There are many causes to sleep deprivation such as insomnia, a new born baby, hard work environments that require long hours shifts … Unfortunately, often sleep deprivation is due to lack of self-discipline. When people watch TV, YouTube or play video games until the wee hours of the morning then try to wake up on time for school or work; they are putting a lot of stress on their body and mind.

In this short (1.5 min) video; sleep medicine expert Dr. Carol Ash explains some of the negative effects of sleep deprivation.

Video source: ​http://www.sharecare.com/health/sleep-basics/why-sleep-deprivation-bad-for