An expert has predicted what the future may hold for sleep-deprived Brits with a series of pictures – and it’s not looking good.
Meet ‘Hannah’: a red-eyed imagining of what people of the near-future could look like, complete with balding hair, wrinkles, short and swollen legs, a chubby stomach, and a myriad of other conditions.
The cause? Poor sleeping habits.
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Sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock believes we are in the middle of a “tiredness epidemic”, with new data showing the average Brit is getting just six hours and 24 minutes of sleep per night.
And the consequences look pretty dire.
The 3D render of ‘Hannah’, based on scientific evidence-based research, shows the dramatic physical impacts that lack of sleep and an inability to ‘switch off’ can have on the body, reports Need To Know.
She can be seen with multiple skin problems, including jaundice and wrinkles, as well as alopecia (hair loss).
But as well as physical changes, ‘Hannah’ also suffers from short term memory loss, an increased sensitivity to pain, and spontaneous pain in her shoulders and back.
The sleep-deprived Brit has also become more vulnerable to respiratory infections like the cold and flu.
Being too tired to exercise, paired with restricted sleep affecting the hormones in control of feelings of hunger and fullness have also led to a hefty weight gain.
Alarmingly, “living on empty day in and day out” has also caused ‘Hannah’ to get muscle atrophy – with her arms and legs shrinking in size and shape.
Dr Bostock, working with Bensons for Beds, said: “Research into the importance of consistent, good quality sleep for our health and wellbeing has accelerated in the last few decades.
“Many of us don’t realise that haphazard daily routines and lack of sleep interfere with our circadian rhythms, the 24-hour cycles which control our physiology.
“Hannah is a thought-provoking illustration of the holistic impact that sleep has on maintaining overall health.
“Studies show that prolonged sleep deficiency can put you at a higher risk for conditions that may impact the heart – including obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.”
The evidence for the design of Hannah was collated from published research papers in academic journals since 2010.
This included the physical impacts on the human body – including brain, immune system, muscles, skin, eyes and hair – that a lack of sleep can do to the body.
Using this information, the team then worked with animators and artists to create Hannah – a visual representation of the effects of lack of sleep and Britain’s sleep deficit dilemma.
Lisa Richards, Marketing Director at Bensons, said: “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.
“Of course, she doesn’t represent all Brits, but 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 of the long term effects of lack of sleep.”
Ways to avoid ending up with similar symptoms include being physically active, getting out of bed at the same time of day whenever possible to improve your circadian rhythm, seeking out natural light in the daytime, eating well in advance of bedtime, avoiding screentime before bed, and investing in a supportive mattress to aid in better sleep.
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