The main effect of sleep deprivation is excessive daytime sleepiness, which can lead to traffic accidents and workplace injuries. Sleep deprivation also has both short and long-term impacts on your health.
Short-Term Effects:
- Drowsiness, leading to drowsy driving
- Forgetfulness
- Distractibility
- Decreased performance and alertness
- Memory and cognitive impairment
- Stressed relationships
- Occupational and/or motor vehicle injury
Long-Term Effects:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety and other mood disorders
- Poor quality of life