We’re all regularly reminded that we should be getting at least seven hours of sleep every night.
But whether it’s laying awake with stress or being kept up by the children, in reality, many Britons get significantly less than this.
Now, experts have warned that your body could be paying the price.
Sleep tech firm, Simba, has used artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal the physical effects of sleep depivation.
From a bloated belly to blotchy skin, the images may serve as a reminder of the importance of getting a decent kip.
‘A lack of sleep doesn’t just leave you tired – it shows up all over your body,’ said Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity.
‘When sleep is compromised reduced blood flow causes the skin to appear sallow and lack vibrancy, stripping it of its natural glow and vitality.
‘Additionally, when you’re sleep-deprived, cortisol levels – the stress hormone – rise, exacerbating inflammatory skin conditions, worsening conditions like eczema and psoriasis, leading to irritation, redness, and itching.’
Sleep tech firm, Simba, has used artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal the physical effects of sleep depivation
From a bloated belly to blotchy skin, the images may serve as a reminder of the importance of getting a decent kip
To create the images, Simba surveyed 2,175 UK adults about their sleep habits, physical health, and appearance.
It then fed the answers into an AI bot, which brought the effects of getting above- and below-seven hours of sleep a night to life.
The images show that the skin is one of the first parts of the body to show signs of sleep deprivation.
Of those who said they did not get enough sleep every night, 15 per cent experienced brittle nails, while 24 per cent said they had sensitive skin.
Other common skin symptoms included eczema (16 per cent), psoriasis (seven per cent), and dull skin tone (10 per cent).
‘At night, the skin works overtime to regenerate and repair itself,’ Ms Artis explained.
‘During rest, blood flow increases, supporting its natural repair processes and promoting a healthy, radiant complexion.’
Insomnia can also increase your risk of piling on the pounds.
The images show that the skin is one of the first parts of the body to show signs of sleep deprivation
The survey found that 26 per cent of the people who didn’t get enough sleep were overweight, while 32 per cent experienced bloating.
‘During sleep, the body balances hormones like ghrelin and leptin, which control hunger and satiety,’ Ms Artis explained.
‘Without adequate rest, ghrelin levels spike, making people feel hungrier, while leptin levels decrease, reducing the feeling of fullness.
‘This hormonal imbalance triggers overeating, especially cravings for high-calorie sugary foods.’
According to the expert, sleep deprivation can also help to explain the different patterns of weight gain in women and men.
‘Women are more likely to see increased fat in the hips and thighs due to hormonal changes, while men may notice more abdominal fat due to decreased testosterone levels,’ she added.
Another unusual change associated with a lack of sleep is cold hands and feet.
‘Body temperature is also under circadian control,’ Ms Artis explained.
‘Studies have shown that rest and thermoregulation are closely linked.
‘Sleep loss can impair the body’s ability to manage and adjust its internal temperature, causing fluctuations and discomfort in the hands and other extremities.’
How much sleep you need will depend on several factors.
‘A healthy adult usually needs around 7 to 9 hours of sleep,’ the NHS advises.
‘However, age, health and personal circumstances affect how much sleep we need, plus some people naturally sleep more than others.
‘Teenagers, children and babies need more sleep because they are still growing, but that varies, too, with a newborn sleeping anywhere between 8 to 16 hours.’
