Is Not Sleeping Bad For You?
Also Known As: pulling an all-nighter
Short answer
While pulling one all-nighter won't do too much harm, staying up all night on a regular basis can have some serious, negative effects on your health.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
We've all done it-- whether at a sleepover as kids or for final exams in college, everyone has pulled an all-nighter at some point. Having just one night of no sleep can have some interesting effects. It can create a feeling of euphoria and a burst of energy that leaves you happy and feeling ready to take on the world. What you may not realize is your ability to remember new information and recall old information is compromised. Mood swings are much more likely to occur, and soon you will experience a "crash", leaving you feeling exhausted and potentially disoriented.
These negative effects become much more serious when this sleep pattern becomes habitual. Risks for a variety of disorders and diseases increase when you chronically deprive yourself of sleep. Mood is one of the first things to be affected, and it is possible to develop anxiety disorders or depression. Memory is more likely to be poor, as sleep is necessary to help store information in the brain. The amount of sleep you get also affects attention, concentration, planning, performance, and decision-making. And due to the weakened state of your immune system, you are more likely to get common colds or flues, and experience digestive distress. Not to mention that a lack of sleep makes you hungrier and decreases insulin production, which can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes.
Next time you're thinking of pulling an all-nighter, consider if you're willing to compromise your health and ask yourself, is it really worth it?
Possible short-term side effects
- short-lived feeling of euphoria
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decreased memory retention
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mood swings
Possible long-term side effects
- stroke
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diabetes
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anxiety
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depression
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digestive problems
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weakened immune system
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worsened memory
Healthier alternatives
- little sleep is better than no sleep
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Written by Lindsay
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Lindsay
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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