April 28, 2015

5 Signs You're Sleep Deprived

Disclosure: This is a sponsored guest post. Though it comes at a perfect time since Adalyn is teething right now and has been up during the night most nights and up for the day at 5:00-5:30 AM most days.

HALO SleepSack Swaddle
Let’s face it, bringing up kids and getting plenty of sleep are two things that just don’t go together. When you become a parent, those days of being able to sleep in can seem like a very distant memory and you might feel lucky to snatch a few hours of shuteye here and there.

However, it is important to try to get enough sleep. Experts recommend that most adults need an average of around eight hours of slumber a night. There are ways to increase your chances of nodding off too. For example, if you suffer from back pain, poor circulation or another physical problem that can make getting sufficient shuteye difficult, you might benefit from switching to an adjustable orthopaedic bed. It’s even possible to purchase versions with built-in massage functions that help to relieve pain and induce sleep. You can visit websites like http://adjustablebeds.co.uk/ to get a better idea of how these features work.

Meanwhile, if you’re not sure whether you’re getting enough slumber, keep reading. 

Ava is pretty tired from Adalyn keeping her up but she knows that she can't sleep because she has to protect her haha.

Here are five sure signs that you’re sleep deprived:

1) Snapping at friends, family and colleagues
If you’re finding it harder than usual to control your temper and everyone, from friends and family to your colleagues, seem to be getting under your skin, the chances are you need some extra rest. Even after just one night’s poor sleep, many people become irritable. *This totally happens for Troy and I sometimes- when we are low on sleep, we are a lot more likely to snap at each other- it's tough!*

2) Stumped at even simple decisions
Another indication that you may be feeling the ill-effects of a shortage of shuteye is an inability to make even simple decisions. If you feel stumped when selecting groceries or can’t decide which clothes to wear, the chances are you need a nap.

3) Constantly coming down with colds
If you always seem to come down with a cold or the flu every time someone in your home or office has the slightest sniffle, you might benefit from changing your bedtime routine. A prolonged lack of sleep can disrupt your immune system, meaning you’re less able to fend off bugs.

4) Always wanting a snack
Always wanting a snack is another sign that you might be over-tired. Research has shown that people who get less than seven hours of shuteye a night are 30 percent more likely to be obese than those who get nine hours or more. It’s thought that sleep-deprived people have lower levels of leptin, which is a chemical that makes you feel full. Tired individuals also have increased levels of the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin. This is a bad combination if you want to stay in shape. *I snack all day long so lack of sleep may be contributing.*

5) Feeling anxious or depressed
A single restless night can cause you to feel moody, but if this pattern continues and you consistently fail to get enough sleep, you’re at a heightened risk of developing long-term mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Of course, there are lots of other triggers that can lead to these conditions too, but if you’re feeling more worried or down than usual, your sleeping habits may have something to do with it.

Thank you for this sponsored guest post! I hope to get back to regular sleep soon!

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