What six hours of sleep a night will do to your body: Swollen eyes, thinning hair and chronic back pain
What six hours of sleep a night will do to your body: Swollen eyes, thinning hair and chronic back pain
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A grotesque digital model shows reveals what humans could look like in 2050 if we don't start getting enough shut-eye. 'Hannah', created by Bensons for Beds and sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock, reveals the changes to our bodies when we only get six hours of sleep per night.
![[Hannah suffers from chronic back pain, thinning hair, sagging skin, swollen legs, baggy eyes and muscle atrophy (thinning of muscle mass) in the arms and legs]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/12/10/93074777-14185315-image-m-30_1733999623249.jpg)
Hannah, a 45-year-old Brit from the future, has chronic back pain, thinning hair, sagging skin, swollen legs and red, baggy eyes. She also suffers from thinning muscle in the arms and legs and is increasingly prone to flu due to a weak immune system. Due to our hectic modern lifestyles and an obsession with smartphones well into the small hours, people may be losing more sleep than ever.
![[She also has short-term and long-term memory loss and a lowered immune system, making her more vulnerable to respiratory infections like the common cold and flu]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/12/11/93074787-14185315-image-a-35_1734002427008.jpg)
So by 2050, sleep deprivation will cause a plethora of exaggerated chronic health issues like the ones Hannah suffers from. Generally, experts recommend adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night – and adults who sleep under 7 hours are more at risk of health issues.
![[According to a survey this year, the average Brit gets just six hours and 20 minutes of sleep a night (file photo)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/12/11/82296221-14185315-Two_thirds_of_Brits_are_getting_by_on_just_six_hours_sleep_a_nig-a-40_1734003961174.jpg)
According to a survey this year, the average Brit gets just six hours and 20 minutes of sleep a night. Bensons for Beds and sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock have predicted what our bodies could look and feel like by 2050 if we continue to be sleep-deprived.
![[Lack of sleep affects a small part of the brain called the hippocampus (highlighted in this digital render) which is key for making new memories]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/12/12/93077577-14185315-Lack_of_sleep_affects_a_small_part_of_the_brain_called_the_hippo-a-1_1734007883017.jpg)
Hannah suffers from chronic back pain, thinning hair, sagging skin, swollen legs, baggy eyes and muscle atrophy (thinning of muscle mass) in the arms and legs. Hannah's design has been based on 19 research papers in academic journals published since 2010 looking into effects of sleep loss on the body.
![[The body releases the hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/12/12/87246347-14185315-During_a_stressful_football_match_the_body_releases_the_hormone_-a-42_1734004878648.jpg)
