Sleep Deprivation Harms Your Ability to Learn

As an adult, you try to make sure the kids get to bed at a reasonable hour so they can get a full night of sleep. When they do, they wake up refreshed and ready to learn. But, did you know that sleep — or the lack thereof — at any age affects the body’s ability to acquire new skills and keep your memory in check? It’s true! In fact, the educational impacts of sleep deprivation can be profound. Here is what happens to your ability to learn when you don’t get enough sleep — no matter how young or old you are.

Ability to Focus Decreases

When you’re sleep-deprived, your brain doesn’t have the capability to focus effectively. Because of this, a slew of other negative side effects can also happen. These include losing the ability to make sound decisions, plan accordingly, and assess situations accurately.

Learning New Things Is Harder

The loss of focus also leads to the loss of efficient learning. By not being able to concentrate, the mind wanders and takes in less detail. Neurons are overworked and have difficulty coordinating where information should be sent for storage. In the end, being overly tired or fatigued leads to poor educational performance.

Memory Recall Declines

Research shows that sleep has a role in processing and consolidating memories. These memories are essential when it comes to learning new information. Without adequate sleep, the brain cannot produce the brain chemical needed to store these memories efficiently. The result is not being able to remember information you once knew.

When you get enough sleep, your brain is able to effectively process information, making it easier to learn as well as store, process, and recall memories.

To see how much sleep you and your kids should be getting each night, check in with the National Sleep Foundation recommendations. Happy sleeping!

Sleep better to live better!