Westlake Word

Sleep deprivation is what many people worldwide are experiencing. Multiple reasons for why this could be happening can be found within the fields of people overworking themselves or within the realms of schoolwork and work shifts. Sleep deprivation affects people many different ways as we’ll ranging from depression to feelings of weakness and or fatigue.

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According to Brandon Peters, author of "Most Common Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation," “No matter what you call it, the most common symptom of not getting enough sleep is what you probably expect: feeling sleepy. This might lead to a feeling of drowsiness or sleepiness, in which you have a strong desire to fall asleep. It might also lead to an associated symptom—a more deep-rooted sense of feeling run down, called fatigue. Many people use the word fatigue to describe the sense of muscle weariness in which a mild discomfort may occur.”

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The effects of sleep deprivation are truly astounding; not only does it mentally affect a person, but more so physically. Unfortunately for many, fatigue has become a reality that they cannot escape.

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In a way, once a human becomes used to an unhealthy sleeping schedule, the body cannot take the effects and it becomes clear that they begin to experience a muddling of the mind and inability to perform normally. Sleep deprivation is real and occurs to many individuals.

Lisa M., a student, notes that “Since I am a sophomore in my High School of Maria Regina, I can see the side effects every day. May it be through fatigue, or even bad attitude usually sadness or anger being the primary source but also with it being harder to stay focus which is the biggest problem I face as a student. I try to sleep at a healthy schedule, but with the work, I receive it is very difficult to get the recommended amount of sleep.” She struggles because of the abundant amount of work students receive, which ironically affects the classroom the following day.

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This also suggests that sleep deprivation affects performance negatively: “Sleep deprivation can noticeably affect people's performance, including their ability to think clearly, react quickly, and form memories. Sleep deprivation also affects mood, leading to irritability; problems with relationships, especially for children and teenagers; and depression. Sleep deprivation can also increase anxiety,” the article, "How Is the Body Affected by Sleep Deprivation?" informs.

 

It is obvious that being sleep deprived affects humans in negative ways. Of course, there are ways of breaking this habit, but it’s very hard in modern society with all the stress people have in the fields of school, work, and family. Everyone is a victim to the threat of sleep deprivation and the negative side effects.

Works Cited

"How Is the Body Affected by Sleep Deprivation?" Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Office of Communications, 1 Dec. 2016, www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/sleep/conditioninfo/sleep-deprivation. Accessed 13 Dec. 2018.

 

Peters, Brandon. "Most Common Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation." Most Common

    Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation, verywellHealth, 5 Oct. 2018,

    www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-sleep-deprivation-3015161.

    Accessed 13 Dec. 2018.

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    Accessed 13 Dec. 2018.