What happens when you sleep only 5 hours every night
ETimes December 07, 2025 12:39 PM
Sleeping for less hours every night, a condition often referred to as chronic sleep restriction or sleep deprivation, has profound and widespread negative effects on your physical health, mental well-being, and cognitive function. The impact extends far beyond just feeling tired the next day; it fundamentally impairs numerous biological processes.
Immediate cognitive and mental effects
In the short term, the most noticeable effects are on cognitive performance and mental state. Lack of sleep impairs attention, alertness, concentration, and problem-solving abilities You may find it harder to learn new information or remember things effectively. Reaction times slow down significantly, increasing the risk of accidents, especially while driving. Mentally, sleep deprivation often leads to irritability, mood swings, increased stress levels, and a heightened risk of anxiety and depression.
Long-term physical health risks
The cumulative effect of consistently under sleeping poses serious long-term health threats. Chronic sleep deprivation weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to frequent illnesses, from the common cold to more severe infections.
It significantly impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. Furthermore, insufficient sleep disrupts the body's regulation of ghrelin and leptin, the hormones that control hunger and satiety, often leading to increased appetite, weight gain, and a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Physiological and emotional consequences
On a cellular level, chronic sleep loss accelerates the aging process and impairs muscle recovery and growth. Emotionally, it diminishes your ability to regulate emotions, leading to emotional volatility and difficulties managing interpersonal relationships.
In summary, regularly sleeping for less than the recommended 7-9 hours per night triggers a cascade of negative effects that compromise virtually every aspect of your life. It is not simply about enduring fatigue; it is about significantly increasing your vulnerability to chronic diseases and diminishing your quality of life and longevity. Prioritizing adequate sleep is a crucial investment in overall health and well-being.
Dr. Praveen Kumar Pandey - Senior Director, Pulmonology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj
