In this society, there are so many people who do not get the adequate and for many different reasons.​ People have work, school, work hard, play hard. We believe that if we can get about 6-7 hours of rest then we will be okay. However, even if you can technically function, going without enough sleep is actually doing both short and long term harm to your health.

Consistent lack of sleep causes significant changes in your brain and your body, and it increases your risk of a number of serious health issues. We're going to cover the top ten side effects of not getting enough sleep.

1) Your reaction time slows. This one is the most immediate; when you are sleep-deprived your reaction time slows down, meaning that you cannot make quick decisions and react appropriately in different situations. Mercola cites a study in which sleepiness behind the wheel was found to be nearly as dangerous and drinking and driving.

2) Your memory suffers. Your whole ability to think clearly is affected when you haven't slept well. Mercola explains that you'll have trouble retaining memories, processing information and making decisions. Additionally, your emotions will be heightened, rendering you less able to handle adverse situations. This makes it extra important to get a good sleep the night before important work events!

3) It weakens your immune system. When you sleep your body is able to recuperate, and it is during sleep that your immune system produces protective substances like cytokines, according to Healthline. These substances fight off foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. They also help you to sleep, thereby giving your immune system more time and energy to fight off illness. If you are sleep-deprived, you'll find yourself getting sick more often, and taking longer to recover.

4) It affects your heart. According to Healthline, sleep plays a vital role in keeping your heart and your blood vessels healthy, including your blood sugar, blood pressure and inflammation levels. People who don't get enough sleep are more likely to get cardiovascular disease - studies have linked insomnia to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

5) It is linked to depression. WebMD cites an American poll which showed people with depression were more likely to sleep less than six hours each night. In a 2007 study of 10,000 people, those with insomnia were five times as likely to develop depression as those without. Insomnia is often one of the first signs of depression. It's a vicious cycle, too - sleep loss often aggravates the symptoms of depression, and depression often makes it more difficult to sleep well.

6) It leads to weight gain. According to Healthy Sleep - a sleep division at Harvard Medical School - a lack of sleep decreases your fat-regulating hormone (leptin), while increasing the hunger hormone (ghrelin). The result is an increase in hunger and appetite, even when your body isn't really hungry.

7)...and Diabetes. Harvard Medical School also explains that sleep influences the way the body processes glucose, the high-energy carbohydrate that cells use for fuel. A study showed that healthy subjects who only had 4 hours of sleep per night processed glucose more slowly than they did when they were permitted to sleep 12 hours. Further studies have revealed that adults who usually sleep less than five hours per night have a greatly increased risk of developing diabetes.

8) It kills your sex drive. Both men and women who don't get enough sleep often report less interest in sex, according to WebMD. This could be due to a depletion of energy, general sleepiness, and increased tension, as well as reduced secretion of testosterone during the night.

9) You'll look older. Your pituitary gland usually releases a growth hormone during sleep (and during high-intensity exercise), but when you are sleep deprived this process slows down, contributing to premature aging, WebMD explains. You also release more cortisol (a stress hormone) when you're sleep-deprived, which can break down the collagen in your skin, leading to more fine lines and wrinkles.

10) Life will be shorter. With the myriad of health issues related to sleep deprivation, it is unsurprising that a lack of sleep is also associated with lower life expectancy overall. Large studies have revealed that sleeping five hours or less per night increased mortality risk from all causes by about 15%, according to Harvard Medical School.

With these side effects, it's easy to see why we need to start prioritizing sleep. Everyone has slightly different needs but try getting about 8 hours a night - your body will thank you for it. Why put yourself at higher risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure or diabetes? Try these natural ways to get more sleep.

RESOURCES WEBMD, MERCOLA, HEALTHLINE, REMEDY DAILY, AND HEALTHY SLEEP - HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

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