Sleep is a vital component of human biology. It’s the time when our body works to heal itself, recover from the day’s activities, and somehow “reset” for the following day.

However, we live in a society where busyness and being productive are highly valued. As a result, sleep gets pushed back on the priority list, and we end up getting fewer hours of sleep than our body needs. Sleep experts recommend that adults need at least seven hours of sleep a night for optimal health and wellbeing.

Why is sleep deprivation bad for your mood?

Not getting enough sleep can have a significant impact on your mood. Sleep deprivation can cause a range of negative emotions and emotional instability. People who get less than the recommended amount of sleep can experience the following mood disorders:.

1. Anxiety

When you’re sleep deprived, the part of your brain that is responsible for regulating emotion—the amygdala—can go into overdrive.

The amygdala interprets situations as threatening, even when they’re not, causing a state of anxiety or tension for no apparent reason.

2. Depression

Sleep and mood are closely connected, and sleep deprivation can lead to depression. Sleep deprivation affects the chemicals in your brain that regulate mood, resulting in low mood, irritability and fatigue, which are symptoms of depression.

People who suffer from sleep disorders, like insomnia, are more likely to suffer from depression later in life.

3. Irritability

When you’re sleep-deprived, you’ll be more irritable, quick-tempered, and more likely to become angry at others. This is because sleep deprivation impacts your ability to think rationally and manage emotions.

4. Decreased Motivation

Sleep deprivation reduces the level of energy that you have, making it challenging to stay motivated to do anything. This lack of motivation can lead to a feeling of hopelessness and low mood.

You’ll find that you’re less interested in the activities that you used to enjoy, like exercise or hobbies.

5. Stress

When you’re sleep-deprived, your body releases a stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol contributes to your body feeling on edge, with your heart racing, and your mind unable to calm down.

The stress can make you feel like you’re in a heightened state of alertness, making it challenging for you to relax and enjoy life.

6. Poor Concentration and Memory

Sleep-deprived people often struggle with concentration and memory. Sleep deprivation makes it difficult for your brain to process and store information. It’s more difficult to focus on what’s happening, and it’s harder to recall information later.

This can contribute to a feeling of being disorganized and scatter-brained.

7. Mood Swings

Sleep deprivation can create mood swings and sudden emotional changes. You might be happy one moment and then angry or sad the next. Irritability, frustration, and anxiety could manifest themselves in the form of extreme mood swings.

8. Decreased Empathy

If you’re sleep-deprived, you might find that it’s difficult to perceive other people’s emotions. You might assume that others aren’t feeling the way that they say they are, or you might misinterpret their body language.

This can make communication more challenging, leading to miscommunications or arguments.

9. Decreased Tolerance for Frustration

Sleep deprivation can make it challenging to keep your temper under control. When you’ve had little sleep, your frustration tolerance level goes down. Little things that wouldn’t usually bother you might become major sources of anger or irritation.

This can create tension in personal relationships or make you less effective at work.

10. Decreased Job Performance

When you’re sleep-deprived, it’s more challenging to be productive. A lack of sleep makes it difficult to focus and stay on task. You’ll find that you’ll take longer to complete work tasks, make more mistakes, and be more forgetful.

These symptoms can lead to decreased job performance, leading to job loss or disciplinary actions.

Conclusion

Sleep deprivation can cause various negative emotions and emotional instability. It’s essential to prioritize sleep and ensure that you’re getting at least seven hours of sleep a night.

It can be challenging to prioritize sleep, but by understanding the risks of sleep deprivation on mood and emotional wellbeing, you can begin to appreciate its importance. Sleep is crucial for a healthy mind, body and a positive outlook on life.