subject: Is "sleepless In Seattle" A Horror Movie? [print this page] Lack of sleep is hazardous to our healthLack of sleep is hazardous to our health. It can raise blood sugar and slow metabolism, which increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Sleep deprivation can boost activity in the brain's emotional centers and cause anxiety and depression. Recent studies have shown less than 6 hours of sleep nightly increases women's risk of breast cancer, increases the risk of colorectal polyps that can lead to colon cancer in both men and women, and increases the risk of developing or dying from heart disease by 48% in both men and women. This is definitely information to "sleep on".
Sleeping less than 6 hours nightly also increases the risk of stroke. A study presented at SLEEP 2012 reviewed data for 5,666 healthy people ages 45 and older. Among study participants with normal weight, those who slept less than 6 hours a night were at 4.5 times greater risk of developing stroke symptoms than those who slept 7 and 8 hours. Too little sleep affects blood pressure, heart rate, inflammation and glucose levels, as well as blood vessels to the heart, body and brain. Ignoring our need for 7-9 hours of sleep nightly wouldn't be a "stroke of genius".
Brains that don't get enough sleep are attracted to junk food. In another study presented at SLEEP 2012, blood flow in the brains of 25 volunteers was tracked by MRI's. This was done following a normal night's sleep of about 8 hours and after a night in which sleep was limited to 4 hours. The MRI's were performed while the volunteers saw images of healthy and unhealthy foods. However, the brain networks associated with craving and reward were more active when the volunteers were sleep-deprived - especially when viewing pizzas, cheeseburgers and cake. Perhaps the brain goes "on a junket".
If you suffer from sleepless nights, you may be afraid of the dark. A study presented to the Associated Professional Sleep Society included approximately 100 college students. Researchers monitored small eye muscle twitches during the students' sleep, while exposing them to unexpected bursts of sound both with the lights on and with them off. Poor sleepers were more easily disturbed by the noises and their reactions were greatly increased by darkness. When surveyed, 46% of the poor sleepers admitted they were afraid of the dark - almost double the percentage among good sleepers. Obviously, photographers must be good sleepers - they can't be afraid of "darkrooms".
