Did you know that constantly pulling all-nighters can do you a lot of harm? Unfortunately, all-nighters are all too common amongst overworked employees in China, and many of them sleep in the office after working around the clock. In fact, this culture of overworking even prompted a trend of ‘reverse bedtime procrastination’, whereby employees prioritize leisure time over sleep after long work days.
In this Pacific Prime article, we’ll outline the reasons why all-nighters aren’t the way to go and how they can harm you.
1. All-nighters weaken your immune system…
Sleep plays a very important part in building your immune system. This is because the body releases proteins called cytokines when you sleep, which is a protein that controls the growth and activity of other immune system cells and blood cells. Pulling an all-nighter or reducing sleep levels means your body produces fewer cytokines and antibodies, making you more vulnerable to catching the cold that’s been going around.
…and takes a toll on your physical health.
If you feel fatigued and have low energy levels, there’s a chance that’s to do with your sleep levels. It occurs when the body’s muscles and organs don’t have enough time to recover during your time asleep. Going a night without sleep can also raise pain sensitivity and make you more vulnerable to acute pain or exacerbate chronic pain.
2. It can also reduce your cognitive functions.
Many people might skip sleep to spend more time working, but doing so can actually lower your attention span and concentration, which in turn lowers your productivity levels. Lack of sleep also slows reaction time and impairs constructive thinking – an integral part of emotional intelligence and how we relate to others. It can also reduce mental place keeping, which is the ability to follow a series of instructions or tasks.
3. Making impulsive decisions? Sleep deprivation is to blame.
Sleep deprivation is associated with moodiness and mood swings, so it’s not uncommon to swing quickly between positive and negative emotions. While you may feel a burst of euphoria after an all-nighter, this often comes with decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex – an area that controls decision-making and impulse. This means you’re more likely to make impulsive decisions when missing out on a good night’s sleep.
4. Yes, that includes your overeating habits.
Sleeping enough and eating well are both important foundations for good health, but did you know that the two are actually linked? Being low on sleep can affect how hungry you feel and the food choices you opt for, increasing the chances that you’ll overeat and opt for junk foods. This brings with it a whole host of physical health problems like obesity, as well as mental health concerns like stress.
5. You’ll also find out that beauty sleep is real.
Saggy eyelids? Dark circles? Swollen eyes? Not sleeping well will show on your face, and you won’t look your best. In other words, beauty sleep is real. When you doze off to sleep for the night, your skin gets a chance to heal itself from the day’s damage and regenerate. This is why those who get a good amount of sleep each night wake up looking fresher, brighter, and rosier – with fewer acne breakouts and a more even skin tone.
Get in touch with Pacific Prime today!
Sleeping more and skipping the all-nighter is a step in the right direction. But if you want to take full charge of your health and wellbeing, it’s also important to go for regular health checkups and get any health issues checked out sooner rather than later. Having a good health insurance plan in place can encourage you to do this, as you won’t have to worry about paying sky-high medical bills out of pocket.
Looking for an appropriate plan? Pacific Prime can help. We have knowledgeable, experienced, and impartial advisors on hand who are ready to provide you with a tailored plan comparison and quote based on your unique healthcare and lifestyle needs, as well as your budgetary requirements. Also, their unparalleled support and assistance don’t end there, as they’ll be with you throughout your insurance journey.
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Disclaimer: Pacific Prime solely represents, operates, and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products, or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.
