Did you now that seven hours is the recommended amount of sleep adults need each night? Four out of 10 Americans don’t get enough sleep, which can lead to a lack of judgment, reaction time and self-awareness.
You know that excessive yawning and the inability to focus are signs you’re not getting enough shut-eye, but do you know which subtle signs to watch for?
Think you may be sleep deprived?
Here are three things from Greatist that could mean you need more sleep:
1. You rely on clichés.
If you find yourself saying common phrases such as “all’s well that ends well” or “it is what it is,” you are probably tired. Sleep-deprived individuals exhibit the same behavior as when they are drunk, meaning they use crutches such as clichés to keep up with others. They may also have slurred speech and giddiness.
2. You have the munchies.
When you are sleep deprived you have a lower level of leptin, the hormone that decreases your appetite, and an increased level of ghrelin, the hormone that makes you hungry. This is one of the reasons sleep is important for heart health and weight loss.
3. You’re breaking out.
The hormone cortisol is increased when you are stressed or sleep deprived and makes your skin look older, and can lead to acne.
For the full list of things you do that may mean you need more sleep, visit Greatist. For better sleeping tips, check out this post from Healthy Headlines.
