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If you're tired more often than not, you may not be getting enough sleep. Like many people, you may stay up late to finish important tasks only to regret it when the alarm clock rings in the morning.
What is sleep deprivation?
Many Americans don't get enough sleep to remain healthy and feel alert during the day. Recent studies have shown that Americans sleep an average of 7 hours each night rather than the 8 hours recommended by sleep experts.
People who work long hours, those who have a hectic family schedule or a new baby, teens who stay up late and have to get up early for school, and even people whose pets sleep with them may get less sleep than their body needs to be at its best. Over time, this lack of sleep, also called sleep deprivation, can have serious effects on health and relationships. It may even be deadly.
What are the effects of sleep deprivation?
It isn't clear why we need sleep, but we do know that sleep is as important as food and water. Some experts think sleep helps the brain recharge its energy and store...