Health Effects of Insomnia

“If we are creating ourselves all the time, then it is never too late to begin creating the bodies we want instead of the ones we mistakenly assume we are stuck with.” Deepak Chopra

In books and movies, unplanned nighttime wakefulness is often when fascinating events occur and “eureka” moments strike. But for many sufferers of insomnia, the reality of being awake when the rest of the world seems blissfully asleep is pure misery and frustration. Often accompanied by a variety of unpleasant physical symptoms, insomnia is a serious concern for many patients. That’s because sleeplessness can have far-ranging effects on our health, disturbing metabolism, cognitive and neurotransmitter function, immunity and adrenal function, and overall hormonal balance. Quite simply, even if you do everything else right, if you don't sleep enough, your health and well-being will still suffer. You may even die prematurely, should poor sleep plague you long-term.

Sleep is a natural, essential process - like eating. Without it we can’t meet life’s demands, keep our moods even, or balance our hormones. Your body wants to sleep, and it will, once you know how to provide what it needs. Feeling exhausted is an obvious consequence of insomnia, but adequate sleep is crucial to your health for other reasons as well. Writers and philosophers have long wondered about the underlying purpose of sleep, but recent research has revealed an incredible range of vital functions that occur while you’re sleeping.