You know this feeling: you're laying in bed scrolling on your phone and before you know it, it's already middle of the night and you don't have much time left for sleep. And even when you finally go to bed and put away your phone, it's not easy to calm your nerves and fall asleep. This is bad news for your health because sleep is crucial to a healthy and happy life. It's a time for our minds and bodies to rest, restore, and prepare for the day ahead. When you miss a good night's sleep you feel frustrated, sluggish, distracted, and outright grumpy the next day. But what happens when you are chronically sleep-deprived, and regularly missing the seven to nine hours of sleep recommended for a typical adult? The answer is a host of serious consequences for your body.

Lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, making you more apt to fall ill when exposed to a virus. While sleeping, the immune system releases proteins—some of which are needed to address infections. Missing sleep means fewer virus-fighting proteins to keep you well. Typically, our blood pressure goes down as we sleep. But missing sleep repeatedly can impact the body's ability to regulate stress hormones. As a result of sleep problems, blood pressure can increase—causing hypertension—and that can lead to cardiovascular disease and stroke.

There is also an inverse connection between sleep and blood sugar levels. As sleeping hours decrease, blood sugar increases. But when lack of sleep is ongoing, it becomes harder for the insulin our pancreas produces to regulate the amount of glucose in our blood. This amplifies the risk of developing diabetes. When eyes miss the chance to rest and replenish each night, pressure can build up, causing glaucoma. This serious condition can lead to vision loss. Sleep deprivation as well prevents weight loss and can lead to weight gain. In short, bad sleep makes you hungry. 

For some people, getting enough sleep requires more than a dedicated bedtime schedule. Sleep disorders can sideline the best of plans, and they're more prevalent than you might realize. While the downsides of poor sleep are daunting, the upside is that sleep disorders are often easy to treat. If sleeping problems are temporary, look into some simple tips for the best night's sleep. But, if you have an inkling that something isn't quite right, check-in with a medical professional.