How Lack of Sleep Affects Your Social Life

The value of sleep continues to be underestimated, despite most people knowing better. Though we don’t fully understand everything about sleeping, we do know it is essential for optimal function. There are a multitude of consequences of varying degrees that can be linked to poor sleep habits. Depression, strokes, workplace injuries and motor accidents are all frequently attributed to the weak cognitive alertness caused from the lack of sleep.

Perhaps considered a little less, are the social consequences insufficient sleep can cause. Between 33 and 45% of Australian adults suffer daytime impacts of inadequate sleep quality or duration. This is a significant proportion of the population that is missing out on some level, both cognitively and socially.

Some of the social consequences directly caused by poor sleeping habits include:

Loss of enthusiasm

Having insufficient sleep directly relates to the loss of your social life. Being insufficiently rested makes you much less likely to interact and engage with others, especially in social situations. Consequently, it is often the people we want to spend time with the most who will be missing us. That might be because you fail to make an appearance because of exhaustion or you’re simply not mentally all there. Socialising often requires you to be alert, attentive, friendly and responsive in terms of body language and conversation.

Increased emotional reactions

Inadequate sleep also leads to increased emotional reactions. Being sleep deprived can cloud judgements, induce short-tempers and give rise to a higher likelihood of erratic behaviour. A person with less sleep tends to view things in a more pessimistic light than someone with sufficient rest. The sleep deprived also find it harder to respond to positive achievements.

Stress, anxiety and loneliness

Not getting enough sleep is linked to many mental repercussions. Lower functioning cognition makes people more prone to stress and anxiety. Loneliness is a logical ramification of this too, especially when considering the reduced enthusiasm to socialise experienced by many sleep deprived people. When sleeping less, you might experience seclusion, isolation and fewer interactions with others as a result.

Negative self-perception

Finally, many are oblivious to the fact that sleep deprivation affects your self-perception. Since your brain has not had sufficient rest, it is no surprise that judgements are not of the same quality as those of a well-rested mind. People who are sleep deprived are more likely to be overly critical and hard on themselves. This is related to heightened experiences of stress. 

While many Australians suffer the consequences of insufficient sleep, one night of good rest can make a world of difference to your emotional wellbeing and lifestyle. If you’re experiencing persistent sleeping issues, consult with a pharmacist.