Only 4 Hours Sleep? This Is What Happened To The Brain And Body

JAKARTA - Sleep is a basic human need, as important as eating and breathing. But in the midst of busy work, schoolwork, or family responsibilities, many people only sleep for 4 hours every night. The question is, is 4 hours of sleep enough? And what actually happens to the body if this habit lasts continuously?

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every night to maintain physical and mental health.

According to Dr. Molly Atwood, assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medicine, this recommendation comes from a large population study of sleep needs. On average, between 7-9 hours is considered the ideal sleep time, although this need can be different between individuals.

Reporting from the Today page, 4 hours of sleep means the body loses almost half of the time that should be used for recovery and regeneration.

Although there are a handful of people who have rare genetic mutations and are able to function normally with short sleep called short sleepers. That means most of us can't train our bodies to need sleep.

According to Dr. Bhanu Kolla from the Mayo Clinic, this is caused by genetic mutations. However, experts emphasize that the human body cannot be trained to require less sleep. Just a night of short sleep can make the body and mind unstable. Here are the short-term impacts that are common:

1. Decreased Concentration and Memory

Lack of sleep interferes with brain function, making it difficult for us to focus, think clearly, or remember important information. The risk of work errors and accidents increases sharply.

2. Unstable Emotions

Sleep affects the way we manage emotions. Lack of sleep can make us more angry, anxious, and even depressed.

3. Loss of Coordination and Reflection

The body becomes less coordinated, such as people under the influence of alcohol. The risk of falling, stumbling, or having an accident increases.

Long-Term Impact Of 4 Hours Sleep Every Night

If 4 hours of sleep continues for weeks or even years, the effect is much more serious and can be permanent:

1. The risk of Kronis Disease

Lack of sleep increases the risk of various serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and kidney disorders.

2. Mental Health Worsens

Lack of sleep is closely related to depression, anxiety, and in extreme cases can trigger symptoms of psychosis or disorders of reality perception.

3. Lowering Brain Function

In the long term, sleep shortages can accelerate cognitive decline and are associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

4. Weakening Immunity System

The body becomes more susceptible to infection because it does not have enough time to improve and strengthen the immune system.

Your general signs of lack of sleep are:

- Easily falling asleep while sitting or on the way

- Feeling sleepy almost all day

- Need much longer sleep on weekends

- Difficulty getting up early even though the alarm sounds many times

Tips So You Can Sleep Longer And Quality

To avoid the negative impact of short sleep, you can start implementing the following healthy habits:

- Set a consistent sleep and wakeup schedule

- Avoid gadgets 1 hour before bed

- Create a quiet and comfortable sleep environment

- Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption

- Do a relaxation routine before bed, such as reading or light meditation

If you have tried various ways but still have difficulty getting enough sleep, you should consult a doctor or a sleep expert.