In fact, these can make sleep deprivation worse by making it harder to fall asleep at night. Stimulants, such as caffeine, aren’t enough to override your body’s profound need for sleep. Noticeable signs of sleep deprivation include:

It can also dramatically lower your quality of life.Ī review of studies in 2010 found that sleeping too little at night increases the risk of early death. Without enough sleep, your brain and body systems won’t function normally. Your brain forges new thought connections and helps memory retention. During sleep, your body heals itself and restores its chemical balance. Your body needs sleep, just as it needs air and food to function at its best. This may also be caused by an underlying sleep disorder.

Getting less than 7 hours of sleep on a regular basis can eventually lead to health consequences that affect your entire body. In a nutshell, sleep deprivation is caused by consistent lack of sleep or reduced quality of sleep.