Shoulder and back discomfort
Back discomfort has frequently been linked to poor sleep, and naturally, this pain makes it more difficult to get a decent night’s sleep.
That entails not only agony for Hannah, but also an awkward hunched posture.
Stomach
Not getting enough sleep has been associated with an increase in visceral fat, the fat that accumulates around vital organs and is linked to metabolic diseases and insulin resistance.
The hormones responsible for regulating hunger, leptin and ghrelin, are also impacted, leading to an increase in appetite.
Bensons points out that tiredness can also reduce the likelihood of exercising, which, for Hannah, resulted in “significant weight around her tummy.”
Muscle atrophy and cankles
Chronic sleep deprivation acts as a “catabolic stressor,” potentially causing metabolic issues and a reduction in muscle mass.
Research has shown that even a few nights of restricted sleep can lower muscle protein synthesis rates in men. For Hannah, this is reflected in muscle atrophy, particularly in her arms and legs.
In addition, Hannah developed swollen ankles — a known indicator of heart disease, which can also stem from poor sleep habits.
Worst case scenario
A lack of adequate sleep can result in memory problems and a weakened immune system, increasing the chances of catching illnesses like the cold or flu.
Sleep deprivation is further linked to impaired cognitive abilities, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney complications, depression, and heightened inflammation, all of which can contribute to chronic health problems and various diseases.
“Hannah is a worst-case scenario prediction of what could happen to somebody if they do everything badly in terms of poor sleep routine and poor mattress support,” said Lisa Richards, Marketing Director at Bensons. “The reason we wanted to create this model was to make people think more carefully about their overall sleep experience. Using this visual makes it easier for people to identify with the issue and the key signs.”
