Sleep deprivation means not getting enough sleep. Over time, it's linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity and depression, and it affects your mood, focus and reaction time (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency). Most adults need 7 to 9 hours a night (NHS: insomnia).
Sleep deprivation means not getting enough sleep. Over time, it's linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity and depression, and it affects your mood, focus and reaction time (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency). Most adults need 7 to 9 hours a night (NHS: insomnia).
Sleep deprivation and sleep deficiency
Sleep deprivation happens when you don't get enough sleep. Sleep deficiency is a broader term. It also includes sleeping at the wrong time of day, poor-quality sleep, and sleep disorders (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
It's common. In the US, about 1 in 3 adults report not getting enough rest or sleep every day (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
Sleep deprivation happens when you don't get enough sleep. Sleep deficiency is a broader term. It also includes sleeping at the wrong time of day, poor-quality sleep, and sleep disorders (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
It's common. In the US, about 1 in 3 adults report not getting enough rest or sleep every day (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
How it affects your health
Sleep deficiency is linked to many long-term health problems, including (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency):
- heart disease and high blood pressure
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- stroke
- obesity
- depression
Ongoing lack of sleep can also change how your body's natural defence against germs and sickness responds (NHLBI: how sleep affects your health).
Sleep deficiency is linked to many long-term health problems, including (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency):
- heart disease and high blood pressure
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- stroke
- obesity
- depression
Ongoing lack of sleep can also change how your body's natural defence against germs and sickness responds (NHLBI: how sleep affects your health).
How it affects your mood and safety
Lack of sleep can make you feel irritable or anxious, and make it harder to learn, focus and react (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
Tiredness is a safety risk too. Drowsy driving is linked to serious crash injuries and deaths (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency). Don't drive when you feel sleepy (NHS: insomnia).
Lack of sleep can make you feel irritable or anxious, and make it harder to learn, focus and react (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency).
Tiredness is a safety risk too. Drowsy driving is linked to serious crash injuries and deaths (NHLBI: sleep deprivation and deficiency). Don't drive when you feel sleepy (NHS: insomnia).
Common causes
The most common causes of insomnia include stress, anxiety or depression, noise, a room that's too hot or cold, an uncomfortable bed, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, jet lag and shift work. Some health conditions and medicines can also affect sleep (NHS: insomnia).
Sleep apnoea, where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, can also leave you very tired during the day (NHS: sleep apnoea).
The most common causes of insomnia include stress, anxiety or depression, noise, a room that's too hot or cold, an uncomfortable bed, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, jet lag and shift work. Some health conditions and medicines can also affect sleep (NHS: insomnia).
Sleep apnoea, where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, can also leave you very tired during the day (NHS: sleep apnoea).
What helps
Start with your sleep habits (NHS: insomnia; CDC: about sleep):
- go to bed and get up at the same time every day
- turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed
- relax for at least an hour before bed
- keep your bedroom dark and quiet
- avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening
- don't nap during the day or sleep in after a bad night
Start with your sleep habits (NHS: insomnia; CDC: about sleep):
- go to bed and get up at the same time every day
- turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed
- relax for at least an hour before bed
- keep your bedroom dark and quiet
- avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening
- don't nap during the day or sleep in after a bad night
Treatment from a doctor
A GP will try to find out what's causing your sleep problems, so you get the right treatment. You may be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), in person or through an online programme, to change thoughts and habits that get in the way of sleep (NHS: insomnia).
GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills. They can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. So they're only prescribed for a few days or weeks at most, when insomnia is severe and other treatments haven't worked (NHS: insomnia).
A GP will try to find out what's causing your sleep problems, so you get the right treatment. You may be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), in person or through an online programme, to change thoughts and habits that get in the way of sleep (NHS: insomnia).
GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills. They can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. So they're only prescribed for a few days or weeks at most, when insomnia is severe and other treatments haven't worked (NHS: insomnia).
When to see a doctor
See a GP or doctor if changing your sleep habits hasn't helped, you've had trouble sleeping for months, or poor sleep is making it hard to cope with daily life (NHS: insomnia). Also see a doctor if someone notices your breathing stopping and starting while you sleep (NHS: sleep apnoea).
See a GP or doctor if changing your sleep habits hasn't helped, you've had trouble sleeping for months, or poor sleep is making it hard to cope with daily life (NHS: insomnia). Also see a doctor if someone notices your breathing stopping and starting while you sleep (NHS: sleep apnoea).
The bottom line
Regularly missing sleep affects your body, mood and safety. Better sleep habits are the first step, and if they don't help, a doctor can look for the cause. Talking therapy is usually tried before sleeping pills.
Not medically reviewed. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
Regularly missing sleep affects your body, mood and safety. Better sleep habits are the first step, and if they don't help, a doctor can look for the cause. Talking therapy is usually tried before sleeping pills.
Not medically reviewed. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
Sources
- What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last updated 24 March 2022
- How Sleep Affects Your Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last updated 15 June 2022
- Insomnia, NHS, last reviewed 19 March 2024
- About Sleep, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed 20 November 2023
- Sleep apnoea, NHS, last reviewed 11 May 2026
- What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last updated 24 March 2022
- How Sleep Affects Your Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, last updated 15 June 2022
- Insomnia, NHS, last reviewed 19 March 2024
- About Sleep, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed 20 November 2023
- Sleep apnoea, NHS, last reviewed 11 May 2026
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