{"id":2848,"date":"2025-05-08T06:41:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T06:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=2848"},"modified":"2025-05-14T21:39:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T21:39:39","slug":"this-is-what-happens-if-you-get-less-than-six-hours-of-sleep-a-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/08\/this-is-what-happens-if-you-get-less-than-six-hours-of-sleep-a-night\/","title":{"rendered":"This is what happens if you get less than six hours of sleep a night"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A good night’s sleep can make all the difference (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Queen Rihanna<\/a> once said that she only gets three or four hours sleep a night, while Sydney Sweeney<\/a> claims that she can cope on just two.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Madonna<\/a> once told Rolling Stone that she struggles with insomnia, and can ‘get through the day’ on six.<\/p>\n

According to the NHS adults need, on average, between seven and nine hours sleep a night. <\/p>\n

If you have the odd bad night, it’s not that much of a big deal, but if you’re consistently struggling to sleep, you could face a whole host of issues from increased anxiety<\/a> to a loss of productivity. <\/p>\n

A 2023 study even revealed that getting less than six hours of sleep a night can reduce the body’s immune responses to vaccinations.<\/p>\n

We spoke to the experts to find out exactly what happens when you’re not well rested.<\/p>\n

Weakened immune system<\/h2>\n

When we’re asleep, our bodies are working extra hard, fighting off infection.<\/p>\n

Dr Sue Peacock<\/a> is a consultant health psychologist and sleep expert. She explains: ‘Research shows that there is a complex link between sleep-wake cycles and our immune systems. <\/p>\n

‘While you sleep, your immune system produces protective, infection-fighting substances such as cytokines. It uses these substances to combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. <\/p>\n

‘These cytokines also help you sleep, giving your immune system more energy to defend your body against illness.’<\/p>\n

So if you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re not producing as much of these magic cytokines. ‘This lowers the body\u2019s response to infection,’ explains Dr Sue.<\/p>\n

‘It increases our vulnerability to disease, and it may take you longer to recover from illness.’<\/p>\n

A 2023 study also revealed that less than six hours sleep a night reduces our immune response to vaccinations.<\/p>\n

Researchers at the French National Institute of Health reanalysed the results of seven studies that compared antibody responses of individuals who slept for seven to nine hours per night, vs those who slept for less than six.<\/p>\n

The research, published in Current Biology<\/a>, revealed that sleeping for less than six hours reduces the immune response to vaccination in men. The effect was more variable in women, where fluctuating hormones were said to play a part.<\/p>\n

The impact was also greater for adults aged 18 to 60, compared to older adults.<\/p>\n

Increased anxiety<\/h2>\n
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Feeling groggy this morning? (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately, sleep and anxiety can be a bit of a viscous circle. A lack of sleep causes anxiety, but anxiety can also cause a lack of sleep.<\/p>\n

Dr Sue says: ‘Unfortunately, one can exacerbate the other. <\/p>\n

‘Anxiety can have a negative effect on your body\u2019s ability to fall asleep, as your brain is in \u201cfight or flight\u201d mode, thinking of all the potential outcomes for whatever is causing the anxiety. <\/p>\n

‘Furthermore, anticipatory anxiety and specific anxiety about sleep can lead to sleep disturbance and insomnia, which then creates a feedback loop that can make both conditions worsen.’<\/p>\n

Research has also found that a lack of sleep can make us feel low.<\/p>\n

‘It can cause us to have a reduced capacity for remaining positive when faced with emotionally challenging events,’ says Dr Sue. ‘You might also feel less able to enjoy positive experiences.’<\/p>\n

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How much sleep do you get a night?<\/h3>\n