It doesn’t take a scientist to understand that sleep is important for your health. Most people feel as if eight hours is required for optimum health but others claim that they can get by on much less.
If you have ever wondered about how much sleep you need, this experiment is eye-opening. It really helps show the negative effects of not getting enough sleep on a daily basis.
A 46-year-old woman from the UK, Sarah Chalmers, took part in the sleep deprivation experiment. The research was designed to show the consequences of not getting enough sleep. At the beginning of the experiment, they analyzed Sarah’s skin with the help of a face scan. When the experiment was over her pores had double in size and her skin looked flushed.
‘I looked much older than my 46 years. My eyes had dark rings underneath, and my skin was lackluster, with pores so enlarged I could see them from a distance. To top it all off, a couple of spots were beginning to develop on my chin. I tired quickly and was very irritable. I hated seeing my reflection,’ said Sarah.
During the first part of the experiment, Sarah only slept for four hours or less per night from 2 AM until 6 AM. She claimed she didn’t feel tired but she also said that she didn’t feel that she had any rest. By three in the afternoon, she felt strangely hung over.
In the second stage, Sarah slept for 5 1/2 to 6 hours per night for one week. By the middle of the week, she began to notice changes. She would tire more quickly and started eating sugary things for a burst of energy.
The doctors explained these developments: ‘A lack of sleep leads to production of cortisol – a stress hormone. This makes a person more irritable. Not getting enough sleep also activates the oil glands, which leads to skin problems. A lack of rest at night also stops the production of growth hormones, which restore the body’s systems to their optimal levels.’
During the final stage, she returned to a normal sleeping schedule. She did not sleep less than eight hours per night and it didn’t take long for positive results to be seen. Within a week, Sarah’s skin problems disappeared and she became less irritable.
Via: Bright Side
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