Are pulling all-nighters worth it? Are they healthy?
I think anyone could agree that pulling an all-nighter is not healthy. That is not something that we would have to do extensive research on. They may be worth it to some depending on the reason for pulling an all-nighter, however, that does not mean that it is wise to do or that it is beneficial to do it frequently. No matter how badly you may want to stay up to study or stay up to practice for a presentation or just stay up in general, let us learn about how pulling all-nighters are not beneficial.
An all-nighter is total sleep deprivation. This means that you have deprived yourself of sleep, something so precious and something that I personally love.
I went through the government health organization websites to pull as much credible information as I could about losing sleep. Below are the things that I found.
1. It Negatively Affects Your Mood
This is a given. Talking to anyone who just woke up or feels like they did not get enough sleep is not ideal. It can usually make people cranky, more stressed, or irritated. Lack of sleep is said to put you in a negative mood. If you are staying awake to study for an exam or work presentation, you will want to make sure that your mood is in order.
2. “Destabilization [in] the wake state”
This means that you are unable to perform at your best due to your loss of sleep. Sleep is something that we need as humans. We can not just brush over it. Losing sleep makes it hard for you to pay attention, remember things, and you will have less control over your body. I think you would see these traits come into play doing anything while being extremely tired. For me, if I go on long road trips and get tired I feel off, confused, and ready for a nap.
3. It Can Negatively Affect your Physical and Mental Health
Since sleep is a basic need, without it, we will struggle. Some examples are heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and more. I think any of us would prefer sleep over any of those options but some can choose those other options by neglecting sleep.
4. Can Lead to Paranoia, Hysteria, and Hallucinations
This is terrifying to me. Losing sleep for long periods can make you go crazy and make you feel like you are seeing things. Scientists studied this by keeping people awake 24 hours for 11 days! People who only lost 24 hours of sleep were already hallucinating. They were reported to be seeing, hearing, and feeling things that did not exist. I can imagine how people on day 11 were hallucinating!
With all of this being said, how long should we be sleeping at night? That is important to know to avoid any of the negative things listed above.
Based on my research, it is recommended that adults sleep 7 to 9 hours and teens sleep 8 to 10 hours. Reminder, I am not a doctor. If you think you need more or less sleep or have questions about any of this, report back to your doctor. I am simply a girl interested in research wanting to help.
Now, get some sleep! Sweet Dreams, friend.
