We all have those nights when sleep doesn’t come easy. But if tossing and turning becomes a habit, it’s not just about feeling tired the next day—poor sleep can quietly harm your body in unexpected ways.
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Sleep isn’t just rest; it’s repair time for your brain, hormones, immunity, and more. Let’s look at 5 surprising ways bad sleep might be affecting your health:
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Lack of sleep lowers your body’s ability to fight infections. You may find yourself catching colds, coughs, or even taking longer to recover from minor illnesses.
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Poor sleep messes with hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, making you feel hungrier and crave high-calorie junk food—especially at night.
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Struggling to focus or feeling forgetful? Sleep is crucial for memory formation and brain function. Without enough rest, your thinking slows down.
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Chronic sleep deprivation may increase your risk of high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even heart disease over time.
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Your hormones rely on a proper sleep cycle to stay in balance. Poor sleep can disturb insulin levels, stress hormones like cortisol, and even reproductive health.
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