If you went to school, you may have had to pull an all-nighter at least once in your life, whether it was to study for that big test or complete the project you left to do until the night before it was due. We all know that pulling an all-nighter isn’t the best thing for your body, but sometimes we are left with no choice. So what really happens while and the day after pulling an all-nighter?
– Your brain will not retain information properly
According to David Earnest, Ph.D. ( a professor who studies circadian rhythm), your brain loses efficiency within each hour of sleep deprivation Meaning that, your brain will not be physically capable to hold any knowledge for the long-term after a couple of hours past your usual bedtime, and when it is time for that big test the next day, you will have a much harder time remembering the info you learned during your all nighter.
– You will have a significantly harder time making decisions
There is proof that 24 hours of sleep deprivation makes you significantly less effective at making logical decisions you need to make in your everyday life compared to if you made them while not being sleep deprived. This is because your brain did not get enough time to rest and had to spend the night processing new information so it is now tired. According to a study, the impact of one night without sleep on your ability to make decisions was the same as having someone with 0.10 percent blood alcohol content make them. This is also why the next day your hand to eye coordination is not as good as it used to be.
– Your sleep rhythm will be out of order
Since you have been awake way past your bedtime, your circadian rhythm will be much out of order. Most likely, the day after you pull an all-nighter, you will be taking a nap as soon as you get home. But now, you have woken up at your usual bedtime, and are too awake to go back to bed. Now your body will adjust to regularly sleeping and getting tired during the day and being wide-awake during the night.
Overall, pulling an all-nighter is not something you want to do unless it is a must. All-nighters don’t only have immediate effects, but also have many serious long-term effects like diabetes, stroke and depression if done constantly, so make sure to get proper rest after a long night!
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