7 Weird Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep

We usually know when we’re not getting enough sleep. We feel slow, yawn constantly, and carry that heavy feeling of tiredness with us for the rest of the day.

Apart from the obvious signs of needing more shut eye, there are few lesser-known signs which indicate you need less time awake, and more time watching your eyelids cosied up in bed.

Below are seven obscure signs that indicate you’re not getting enough sleep.

1. Memory problems

Sleep plays a critical role in learning and memory, so when you don’t have an adequate amount of sleep each night, you’ll struggle to retain information you’d usually remember. While most memories are made while you are awake, how rested you are when experiencing the moment that becomes a memory will impact your ability to retain the information.

2. Irritability

We’ve all woken up on ‘the wrong side of the bed before’, but that phrase is much more than a common saying. When we don’t receive the right amount of sleep our moods are affected hugely. From sudden mood swings to bursts of anger, sadness, and frustration, not getting enough sleep often plays a role in experiencing these heightened negative emotions.

3. Sugar cravings

Craving sweet treats is another telltale sign of needing more sleep. When we’re tired, our bodies are low in energy, so to counteract this feeling we often crave high-calorie, sugary, or salty snacks to try and bring our energy levels back to ‘normal’.

4. Breakouts

If you’ve ever woken up from a rough night’s sleep, or not received adequate sleep for a few days in a row, you’ve probably noticed the physical effects lack of sleep can have on your skin. There are two main reasons for this: our skin does most of its cell regeneration while we are sleeping, and the second, lack of sleep impacts your cortisol levels, which then in turn affects the health of your skin.

5. Flu-like symptoms

When the body is sleep deprived, it struggles to carry out normal functions which otherwise wouldn’t be an issue if it had adequate rest. Experiencing mild headaches, a sore throat and a dry mouth are common symptoms of not getting enough sleep. Because your mind feels run down and exhausted, your body will start to feel the same way.

6. Eye twitching

While the exact cause of eye twitching remains unknown, one common reason it happens while you are tired is due to ocular myokymia – don’t worry the name sounds much scarier than it is! Ocular myokymia occurs when the body is tired, stressed, or has consumed too much caffeine, resulting in the muscles of the lower corner of the eyelid to contract.

7. Caffeine cravings

Coffee and other caffeinated beverages are a common solution people turn to when their energy levels are low. But increasing your intake and craving caffeinated beverages is often a sign that you need more sleep. Similar to how some people crave sugar when they are tired, caffeine is often craved to attempt to restore the body’s energy levels.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualised health advice. If you are concerned about your health and well-being, please speak to your GP, who will advise on the correct treatment plan.