Sleep Deprivation: Impact on Cognitive Performance and Focus | Solh Wellness

 Sleep is essential for the brain and has an impact on cognitive performance. Different stages of sleep, such as REM and NREM, help to improve cognitive abilities. When you don't get enough sleep, your brain becomes overworked and inefficient, which leads to poor thinking and information processing. Inadequate sleep, also known as sleep deprivation, can take many forms, including short or fragmented sleep, and can have immediate effects such as decreased attention and reaction time. Chronic sleep problems can impair daily tasks, and lack of sleep over time can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Sleep's Influence on Cognitive Performance and Focus

Brain Function Issues

Sleep deprivation has been linked to negative effects on a variety of cognitive functions mediated by various brain regions. While studies on the impact of sleep on cognition have yielded inconclusive results, this variability could be attributed to a variety of factors, including participant characteristics, differences in sleep manipulation protocols, or variations in cognitive outcome measures. Nonetheless, researchers generally agree that inadequate sleep can impair cognitive performance.

Diminishes Placekeeping

Placekeeping is a cognitive function that involves keeping and updating information in working memory while carrying out a series of tasks. Cooking a meal or assembling furniture, for example, require multi-step instructions. Placekeeping is also important in motor skills such as playing musical instruments or sports that require coordination and timing. Sleep deprivation or disruption can impair the brain's ability to consolidate and retrieve information, resulting in poor performance in tasks requiring placekeeping, such as finishing a complex project, following a recipe, or maintaining a steady rhythm while playing music. Disrupted sleep can also affect speech production and the ability to communicate effectively in some cases.

Impaired Decision-Making

Sleep deprivation can result in dysregulated emotional responses, which can impair judgement. People who do not get enough sleep are more likely to make risky decisions and are more likely to become fixated on potential rewards while ignoring potential consequences. Learning from these mistakes can be difficult because sleep deprivation impairs the brain's ability to process and consolidate emotional memory.

Effect on Memory

Poor sleep can have a negative impact on memory consolidation by interfering with normal processes that rely on both NREM and REM sleep to form and retain memories. NREM and REM sleep have been shown to play a significant role in this process. Individuals who are sleep deprived may also be more likely to form false memories, according to research. Furthermore, even if a person gets enough sleep, fragmented sleep can impair memory consolidation.

Conclusion

Sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on a person's daily life. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, you should seek medical attention. Solh Wellness provides individuals in need of mental health solutions that are personalised, affordable, and easily accessible. We strive to provide the best possible support for those in need of mental health care. You can also read our previous blog on Download the Solh Wellness App and start your journey to better sleep, mental health, and a better version of yourself.