The implications of a Sleep-Deprived Society

The average adult should spend between six and eight hours in sleep, and children should
spend even longer time sleeping. If one feels drowsy during the day or is not alert, then they
are likely to be having a sleep debt. Sleep deprivation affects many of us Americans for a
number of reasons, among them; fast-paced lifestyle, night life, sleep disorder, stress, night
time disturbances, and lack of exercise (Breus, 2006).
The sleep-deprived society witnesses more sleep-induced road accidents when drivers
fall asleep behind the wheel. Sleep-debt leads to ill health, which leads to lost job hours and
higher costs of healthcare. The average citizen becomes less social because they have little
free time for socializing. When people are deprived of sleep they become irritable and
violent. A sleep-deprived society needs diversionary activities like holiday and entertainment.
When the nation works at the cost of sleep, they became less efficient and affect activities
like banking and security (“Sleep Deprivation – All about Sleep Disorders”, 2013). America
is a victim of night activities such as, television soaps and night concerts that keep them
unduly awake.
As an average American, I have big dreams of making a lot of money in a short time
while still studying and chasing the good life. Because I attend class by day and do odd jobs
for pocket money in the evening, I complete my school assignments even later in the evening.
Sometimes go out for a drink, a party or a movie, leaving me with little time for sleep. There
is no enthusiasm to socialize or visit with family. Because of the deprivation, I feel tired and
drowsy by day, which leads to loss of focus in my studies. If the trend continues then my

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work output will go down. By day I tend to be dull, irritable, and even downright aggressive.
I feel depressed and close to a mental disorder because I have pushed myself to the limits.
Sleep-deprivation has many harmful effects on society at large. As an individual it
affects my social life, work, and health. Sleep deprivation changes the natural cycle of life
and the whole nation (“Sleep deprivation”, 2003).

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References

Breus, M. (2006). Sleep Habits: More Important Than You Think. WebMD. Retrieved 15
March 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/important-sleep-
habits
Sleep deprivation. (2003). Villanova University. Retrieved 15 March 2016, from
http://nurseweb.villanova.edu/womenwithdisabilities//sleep/slpdep.htm
Sleep Deprivation – All about Sleep Disorders. (2013). Sleep Deprivation. Retrieved 15
March 2016, from http://www.sleep-deprivation.com/