Dangers of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is an important regenerative process of our lives. Much too often it is alarmingly underestimated. Life’s pressures (big and small) are far too easily allowed to interfere with its natural order.

In fact, sleep deprivation is one of the biggest enemies to productivity and a silent accessory to disaster. Major industrial accidents have been attributed, at least in part, to sleep deprivation (among these, the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, Ukraine, the oil spill of the tanker Exxon Valdez, the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle and others.) The National Commission on Sleep Disorders estimates that sleep deprivation costs $150 billion a year in higher stress and reduced workplace productivity in the U.S. One report suggests that on a worldwide scale that cost rises to at least $377 billion each year.

But no amount of money can equal the cost in human life and death, which way too often pay the price for sleep deprivation. For example, 40% of truck accidents are attributable to fatigue and drowsiness, and there is an 800% increase in single vehicle commercial truck accidents between midnight and 8 am. According to a sleep disorder clinic in Sydney, Australia, between 20% and 30% of road accidents in that country are due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel. In the U.S., it is estimated that drowsiness contributes to at least 100,000 traffic accidents annually.

On a personal level, a sufferer may resort to sleeping pills or other medications in order to fall asleep. But these are only short-term solutions and in the long run create or contribute to further sleeping problems. The sufferer only finds himself in an endless circle that spirals further down into sleep deprivation.

With sufficient amount of sleep each night, one can greatly improve their quality of life. It contributes to health and youth, allows for optimum enjoyment of life and human relationships. Now you can appreciate the importance that sleep plays in your life and getting sufficient sleep each and every night.

Photo by Meruyert Gonullu: https://www.pexels.com/photo/planner-and-eyeglasses-placed-on-table-near-anonymous-woman-and-dog-sleeping-on-sofa-6588937/