Does Pulling an All-Nighter Reset Your Sleep Cycle?

Sleep requirements vary according to age, but adults typically need at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Getting less than that could lead to harmful effects such as:

• Mood disturbances such as anxiety, depression, or irritability
• Fatigue and daytime sleepiness
• Headache
• Impaired focus
• Increased risk of accidents
• Poor productivity
• Poor memory
• Reduced exercise capacity
• Reduced sex drive
• Lowered immunity
• Increased risk of:
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart diseases
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Stroke
• Skin changes such as dark circles, wrinkles, and facial puffiness
• Digestive problems such as nausea, indigestion, and heartburn
• Hormonal imbalances

Instead of trying to pull an all-nighter to reset your sleep schedule, it is best to make consistent efforts to get quality sleep:

• Stick to a regular schedule for sleeping and waking up even on weekends and holidays
• Avoid napping longer than 30 minutes during the day
• Expose yourself to enough sunlight including during the day
• Get regular exercise but avoid vigorous exercise one hour before bedtime
• Avoid eating late or having a heavy dinner
• Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime
• Avoid caffeinated beverages late in the evening
• Avoid using devices that emit blue light (laptop, TV, smartphone, or tablet) before bed
• Keep your bedroom uncluttered and comfortable for sleep (make sure your sheets are clean and your room is dark and cool enough)
• Follow a calming bedtime routine such as taking a warm shower and changing into comfortable clothes before going to bed
• Practice stress management techniques such as yoga or meditation
• Avoid smoking and illicit drug use
• Maintain a healthy weight

Since it may take a while before your sleep schedule is fixed, be patient. If none of the tips above seem to help, talk to your doctor about what you can do to improve your sleep quality.