Srinagar, June 23: Emphasising that sleep is a biological necessity and not a luxury, a senior public health expert from GMC Srinagar has warned that chronic sleep deprivation can seriously affect the brain, heart, metabolism, immunity, and mental health.
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Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor at the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar, said adequate sleep is the body’s most powerful natural medicine and that every hour of lost sleep carries significant health consequences.
According to a public health advisory, adults aged 18 to 64 years require 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily, while those aged 65 and above should aim for 7 to 8 hours. Regularly sleeping for less than six hours can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and weakened immunity.
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Dr. Khan said sleep regulates key hormones and neurotransmitters responsible for emotional stability, concentration, motivation, immunity, and cardiovascular health. Inadequate sleep, he warned, can lead to irritability, poor judgment, reduced productivity, stress, and social withdrawal.
The advisory also noted that staying awake beyond midnight disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythm, affecting hormonal balance, metabolism, and overall well-being.
To promote healthy sleep, people have been advised to maintain a regular sleep schedule, go to bed before 10:30–11:00 PM, exercise regularly, seek morning sunlight exposure, and avoid excessive screen time, caffeine, nicotine, and heavy meals before bedtime.
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“Sleep is not a luxury—it is a biological necessity. Every hour of lost sleep is a debt paid by the brain, heart, metabolism, immunity, and mental health,” Dr. Khan said. (KNO)
