Feeling constantly hungry? It could be a lack of SLEEP – six signs of sleep deprevation

Sleep is something we’ve all been robbed of lately with the hot weather causing many to have long, tireless nights and sweaty, exhausting days. 

But before the heatwave how was your sleep? Thousands across the UK struggle with sleep and many even suffer with sleep disorders. 

Are you confident you could recognise a lack of sleep through symptoms other than feeling tired? And did you know that hunger is one of the prime symptoms of sleep deprivation? 

Leading psychologist and SIMBA Sleep’s ‘Think Well Sleep Well’ Ambassador, Hope Bastine explained the six signs you’re not getting enough shut-eye.  

She said: “A good night’s sleep is about the biggest all-round health boost you can get, and the right mattress is key. 

“You might think your five-hours-a night is nothing to worry about, but chronic sleep deprivation can affect your cognitive performance at work but has been linked in some studies to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression and can even affect your performance in endurance sports.”

Six signs you need more sleep

You’re perpetually hungry

If your brain is deprived of the energy is requires from sleep, it’ll often try to get it from elsewhere – namely food! 

Not getting adequate rest increases the production of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. And too much of this makes us crave sugary and fatty foods. 

On top of this, poor sleep can affect something else called leptin – the satiety hormone. If you’re not getting adequate sleep you more inclined to buckle to your cravings because you’re not feeling the signals to stop eating.

Your appetite for sex has taken a nose-dive

A study from the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that sleep-deprived women were 14 percent less likely to have sex than those who had proper sleep. 

Another study from the University Chicago showed that men with poor sleep patterns have significantly lower levels of testosterone – the body’s natural mojo – which reduces their interest in being intimate with their partner.

Poor decision-making

When tired, you’re not going to be on your ‘A game’. Sleep deprivation can affect speed and higher-level cognitive processing.

This means essential functions, like problem solving, decision making or time management, become even more difficult to carry out.

You feel like you’re on an emotional roller-coaster

If you find yourself reacting to things that wouldn’t have affected you previously. Or perhaps you feel yourself swinging from being wildly happy to particularly weepy, this can be triggered by poor sleep.

Your reactions to emotional stimuli can send your feelings into overdrive when you haven’t had enough shuteye.

F is for……err….Forgetful

Getting enough sleep is essential for brain health in the long term. Sleep leads to memory consolidation and emotional processing.

So a lack of rest may be messing with your memory. When you’re tired, it’s harder to form memories.

You’ve suddenly become more clumsy

It’s not just your emotions that are harder to control when you’re sleep deprived. It’s your body, too. If you find you having one of those days where you trip up, drop your morning coffee and bump into things all in the space of 24 hours, it can be a sign you’re overtired.

When you’re less rested, there’s a lapse in how you neurologically function in general. If you’re busy rushing about, there’s a lot processing going on. And when we’re sleep deprived our brains can’t process as well.