New Life: Need For Sleep!

Skipping 1 night's sleep makes a person cranky and clumsy. After missing 2 nights of sleep, a person will have problems thinking and doing things; his or her brain and body can't do their normal tasks nearly as well. After 5 nights without sleep, a person will hallucinate (this means seeing things that aren't actually there). Eventually, it becomes impossible for the brain to give its directions to the rest of the body without sleep!

Sleep is as vital for survival as food, it gives your body a rest and allows it to prepare for the next day…But chronic lack of sleep can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, depression, irregular hormone production, a weakened immune system and memory lapses…

5 Signs You Need More Sleep:

Cravings & Hunger: If you find yourself hungry all day (and not because you skipped breakfast or have recently amped up your gym routine) it might be because you've been skimping on sleep.
Research presented at the 2010 linked insomnia and lack of sleep with higher levels of the hormone Ghrelin, the same one that triggers hunger. This uptick in the hunger hormone seems to lead to not only increased snacking, but also a craving for high-carb, high-calorie foods, which may help explain why people who don't get enough sleep are at a greater risk of obesity.
You Are Emotional: Ever find yourself tearing up over an embarrassing TV commercial? While women might be quick to blame PMS, it could be a lack of sleep sending your emotions into overdrive. A 2007 study found that sleep-deprived brains were 60% more reactive to negative and disturbing images.
You're Clumsier Than Usual: First you knock the alarm clock off the dresser, then you spill the milk as you're pouring your cereal, then you stub your toe on the way out the door...etc.
Researchers don't know exactly why, but sleepy people seem to "have slower and less skills," Reflexes are dulled, balance and depth perception can be a little wonky and since you may also have trouble focusing, reaction time can be slowed, meaning you can't quite catch the egg carton before it hits the floor.
You feel sick and you never get sick: Your immune system repairs and strengthens while you sleep. So in addition to eating flu-fighting foods, try to sleep at least seven hours a night to stay healthy all season.
You can't remember where you put the car keys: Your brain needs sleep to refresh and regenerate. Without it, your short-term memory may be impaired... And it’s not just your short-term memory: sleep deprivation has been shown to have negative consequences of student’s test scores and grades.

How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Really Need?

The average amount of sleep needed changes over our lifetime, especially during childhood and adolescence. Although there are averages, there will be individuals who fall both above and below these needs: