Stress and sleep are strongly bound together. Lack of sleep can cause stress and stress can be the cause for lack of sleep. It is important to find ways to manage stress and sleep because this combination can cause serious problems to our mental and physical health.

Stress is how the body and brain reacts in any new or threatening emotional (exciting) situation. Stress is not always harmful but it is sometimes helpful because it gives you more energy which may help you experience physical challenges, solve problems and reach / achieve objectives / goals.

When stress continues without interruption for long periods can cause insomnia (lack of sleep), headaches, back pain, anorexia, fatigue, depression and other physical symptoms.

Problems with lack of sleep and stress

It is known that lack of sleep (insomnia) causes problems in thinking and concentration. It is also capable of causing stress and serious health problems.

First of all, it should be noted that chronic lack of sleep increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. This increases cortisone which is a stress hormone that regulates glucose in the blood. The prolonged lack of sleep (insomnia) makes your body to constantly inject cortisone in the blood. The cortisone in term increases blood glucose. This obliges the body to express and inject in the blood more and more insulin in an attempt to reduce blood glucose.

If this situation lasts over time, the gradual increased production of insulin leads to insulin resistance. The resistance to insulin may lead to type 2 diabetes. At the same time the increase of insulin in the blood promotes the storage of fat in the body thereby increasing the risk of obesity.

Also, another adverse effect of stress and lack of sleep is the weakening of the immune system by making people more prone to infections and colds.

Finally, chronic sleep deprivation speeds up the mechanisms of ageing. When someone does not sleep enough the brain does not produce normal amounts of hormones but it produces quantities similar to those of elderly people.

In brief the biggest risks brought by lack of sleep and stress are:

Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity

Infections

Cancer

Ageing

Reducing mental capabilities and performance

Accidents and road accidents

Ways to manage stress and sleep