Sleep helps you restore your body and mind. It’s just as important as eating healthy and staying fit but few people think of it this way. When we don’t get enough sleep, our mood changes, it’s harder to focus, you look tired, and catch colds more often. 

How much sleep we need is based on a person's age and needs. On average we need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms your body and mind show when you don’t get enough sleep.

1. Your mood changes

When you are sleep deprived, you may notice you’re a bit cranky due to changes in your mood. You may be irritable, have low energy and coping with stress is difficult.

2. You gain weight 

A lack of sleep can lead to weight gain. If you sleep fewer than 6 hours of night, you’re more likely to gain weight. Your appetite and cravings for sugar and fatty foods increase, since the hormone that controls appetite and glucose breakdown is affected. Try getting an average of 8 hours of sleep per night to help keep your weight down lower body fat.

3. You look tired

Sleep gives your body time to recover from daily life. During sleep your body is repairing tissue, growing muscles, and the immune system. When you don’t get enough sleep, your skin’s barrier doesn’t function like it should. When you wake up you may look tired, have dark eye circles, and puffy eyes. You're even at risk to develop wrinkles and fine lines.

Fact: Skin is the largest organ in the human body.

4. You can't focus and you're not productive

When you’re sleep deprived, it’s harder to focus on a task and pay attention. Your brain can’t complete a task as efficiently. Your performance and productivity is also lower. You’ll find it harder to reason, and find words for things. 

5. You catch colds more often

Your ability to fight off colds is tougher when you don’t get enough sleep. People who slept less than 7 hours a night were 3 times more likely to develop a cold when exposed to cold symptoms. That's because your immune system is compromised. You also slow the healing process too, making it hard to recover from a cold.

6. You feel more pain

Sleep lets your body repair itself, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. When you don’t get a good night’s sleep, you may notice your pain is worse, since you lowers your ability to manage pain. People that get less sleep, will rate their pain higher and use more pain medications. So get more sleep to feel less pain in the day.

7. Can't remember things

A lack of sleep makes it hard to remember things. You’re not alert and can’t pay attention for long, making it hard to create new memory.  

8. No interest in intimacy  

You might have a hard time getting in the mood if you’re tired. When people don’t get enough sleep, they lack the energy and desire for intimacy. This affects women more than men who experience hormone changes and sleep deprivation with caring for a newborn.

9. Trouble making decisions

It’s more difficult to make decisions, judgements, and keep your attention. It’s harder to process information, manage your emotions, and feel social.

10. You’re slower

Studies have shown a lack of sleep impacts our ability to focus or concentrate due to slower response times.