“In reality, overtired young children often become hyperstimulated, irritable and restless, making it harder for them to fall asleep. This in turn adds to everyone’s frustration and pushes the household routine later,” he said.
WHY IMPROVING SLEEP AS A FAMILY MATTERS
Experts say that chronic sleep deprivation can take a toll on mental and physical well-being, and relationships.
Repeated sleep disruptions may strain marital relationships and, in some cases, lead couples to consider separate sleeping arrangements, said Dr Chua. “The bed or room partner may wake up feeling tired and experience daytime sleepiness affecting daytime activities.”
Sleep deprivation can also affect mental wellbeing, contributing to mood changes, such as increased irritability, anger, feeling depressed and anxious, along with concentration, memory or attention issues, she added.
There are also longer-term implications too. “Sleep loss affects hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism, which is why people tend to gain weight more easily when they are consistently tired,” said Dr Loh.
“There is strong evidence linking insufficient sleep with higher cardiovascular risk, and we also see poorer immunity because slow-wave sleep plays an important role in supporting immune function,” he added.
There are several stages of sleep. Slow-wave sleep is also known as deep sleep, which helps one feel refreshed upon waking. Besides improving immunity, this restorative stage of sleep also supports recovery and growth, according to a HealthHub article.
