Sleep Deprivation Mistakes

We all know the feeling of not having enough sleep. For some of us this is a chronic problem that may require the help of a physician, but for most of us it is the result of spending the night with a crying baby, the noise from the party next door or pulling an all-nighter in preparation for a big presentation or test the next day. Whatever the reason that you didn’t get the sleep that you needed, once you’re sleep deprived you are automatically operating at a disadvantage. You’re not thinking clearly, you’re tired, and you’re likely in a mad-at-the-world kind of mood.

Being sleep deprived is annoying at best and dangerous at worst. It hurts your ability to remember important things and to make sound judgments. If you know that you are sleep deprived, there are certain things that you should absolutely try to avoid, not only for your own benefit but for the benefit of those around you. Here is a list of things to avoid doing until you’ve had the chance to catch up on your sleep:

Getting Behind the Wheel

This particular item actually goes beyond avoid – you absolutely should not drive if you haven’t had enough sleep. Sleep deprivation and driving are as dangerous a combination as drinking and driving.  Getting into an accident on the road is actually two times as likely if you haven’t had enough sleep, and you only need to be shy about four hours for it to have the exact same impact as drinking six beers.  If you’re not sure about that statistic, do a quick Google search on sleep deprivation, and you’ll find out that it has been blamed for accidents ranging from the Exxon Valdez disaster that spilled oil into Alaska’s water to the recent Connecticut train crash that killed and injured dozens. If you haven’t gotten enough sleep, find a designated driver.

Making Big Decisions

Though we can’t predict when we’re going to be put into the position of having to make an important decision, at least we can tell when we’re not in any shape to do so. Not having enough sleep can make a bad idea sound good, and that’s been proven in scientific studies. Our brains aren’t able to predict bad outcomes when we’re tired, and have a tendency to assume that everything will turn out well, even if there is evidence that proves otherwise.  If you’re faced with a big decision and you haven’t had enough sleep, ask for the opportunity to sleep on it.

Making Nutritional Decisions

You know how they say you should never go food shopping when you’re hungry? It turns out that the same is true if you’re sleepy.  Without having adequate sleep, you tend to purchase far more junk and food that is nutritionally questionable. Apparently, sleep deprivation not only makes you feel hungrier, but it also impacts your impulse control when it comes to shopping in general and grocery shopping in particular. A recent study conducted at Uppsala University found that sleep-deprived shoppers purchased groceries that contained almost ten percent more calories and almost twenty percent more food in general. This is important for reasons of health, for reasons of budget, and particularly for those who are trying to lose weight or adjust their diets based on a specific medical concern.

Shopping in General

Just as our impulse control goes out the window when we are food shopping, the same is true for shopping in general. It all goes back to what we mentioned before about out inability to properly assess negative outcomes, as well as our tendency to anticipate more positive outcomes, even when there is evidence to the contrary. Online shopping is particularly dangerous because there is something about charging to a credit card without actually having to sign anything or having to pull out cash that makes the whole process seem as though it won’t have any consequences.

 Drinking Highly Caffeinated Drinks

With the abundance of energy drinks available on the market today, it is all too tempting to grab one of those convenient cans out of the display case and down it when you are feeling drowsy and bleary, but it is a big mistake. Energy drinks are loaded with sugar, as well as a lot of other mysterious ingredients that may end up clouding your judgment further, or making you feel jittery and therefore even more uncomfortable. Worst yet, it can interfere with your ability to get to sleep tonight! If you need a pick-me-up you are better off with a cup of good old- fashioned coffee, or better yet, go outside and take a walk in the fresh air or a workout at the gym. Both will not only clear your head but will also set you up for a much better night’s sleep tonight, when you really need it.

Have Important Conversations

Just as you should avoid making important decisions when you haven’t had enough sleep, it is very important that you recognize that you are not in any condition to discuss important relationship issues.  When you are sleep deprived you tend to say things that you don’t really mean and to fly off the handle much more easily. You also tend to see things much more negatively than they may actually be, and to become emotional far more easily. When your brain has had too little sleep you are unable to control your impulses, which may mean that you end up yelling at your kids or your partner over issues that are either not actually important or that require a much more controlled response. Long-simmering injuries and annoyances tend to come to the forefront when you are tired, and there is a very good chance that you will say something that you might regret later. Just as in decision making, walk away until you are in a more stable and healthy frame of mind.