High BP, weight gain and acne? Here are signs that you are not getting enough sleep

Sleep Deprivation: In our seemingly always-on society, there's great temptation to shortchange sleep. But sleep is a vital driver of every physiological system in the human body, and when we're deprived of shuteye, health and wellbeing can suffer in many ways.

Sleep is essential for growing muscle, repairing tissue, and synthesising hormones, among other functions.

Health concerns that could be caused by lack of sleep

Colds and flu
Not clocking up the hours asleep could leave you with a weakened immune system.
When you're asleep, your immune system produces protective cytokines and infection-fighting antibodies and cells. It uses these to fend off foreign substances like bacteria and viruses.

High blood pressure
People who are sleep deprived may be at higher risk of developing high blood pressure or worsening existing high blood pressure.

Sleep assists our blood regulate stress hormones and helps your nervous system to remain healthy. Over time, a lack of sleep could hurt our body's ability to regulate stress hormones, leading to high blood pressure.

Weight gain
People who sleep fewer than six hours at night are more likely to be overweight-and show reduced levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin, along with elevated levels of hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin-the large-scale.

Affects your skin health
If you're not getting good sleep, your skin may soon show it. Many previous studies have found a link between a lack of sleep and acne, perhaps related to how sleep controls hormones in your body.

Studies have shown sleep deprivation could cause your skin to age faster. A good night's sleep can aid good skin health because when you're sleep-deprived, your body makes more of the stress hormone cortisol.

If you are also experiencing these symptoms along with high blood pressure, weight gain, and acne, it's essential to address your sleep habits and prioritize getting sufficient rest.