Wellness

Sleep Is Preventive Care: What Happens When You Don't Get Enough

Chronic short sleep shows up in research linked to blood pressure, blood sugar and mood. Treat your sleep like part of your health plan.

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4 min read

The research link

Consistently sleeping less than about seven hours is associated in large studies with higher rates of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression and weakened immune response. Sleep is when your body does much of its repair work.

Signs your sleep needs attention

Loud snoring, gasping during sleep, waking unrefreshed, or nodding off during the day can signal sleep apnea or other treatable problems. Difficulty falling or staying asleep that lasts weeks is worth mentioning at your visit too.

Better sleep starts tonight

Keep a consistent bed and wake time — even on weekends. Dim screens before bed, cut caffeine after early afternoon, and keep the bedroom cool and dark. Small, boring, consistent beats a perfect night once a week.

When to talk to us

Sleep problems and mental health often feed each other. Our primary care and psychiatric teams can look at both together — from screening for sleep apnea to addressing anxiety that keeps you up.

Ready to put this into practice?

This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for medical advice. In a crisis, call or text 988.

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