Staying up late for World Cup games

Staying up late for World Cup games The FIFA World Cup is now most definitely in full swing right now, and it feels like the whole globe has caught football fever! However, with the games being held in Brazil, some of the matches aren't at the most convenient of times. True, they could be later, but with frequent 11pm kick-offs, dealing with the effects of sleep deprivation is something that many more of us are facing than usual! Sheer determination is sometimes enough to see us through to that final whistle, but after half-time and even penalties, the time can be as late as 1am before you head up to bed. This might be fine once every so often, but if this becomes a frequent event throughout the World Cup what health implications can it have? Here, we're going to take a look at the benefits that a decent sleep can give us, and the natural positives you could be neglecting to give your body with consistent late nights. Immunity Studies have shown that your immunity levels are interrupted by a lack of sleep. This means that by regularly going to sleep late, and not giving yourself the recommended eight hours of sleep a night, you could be less able to stand up against viruses and bugs. Mental well-being Along with concentration and decision-making problems, a long-term lack of sleep deprivation can also lead depression and anxiety disorders. Other benefits Maintaining a good level of sleep can help you lose weight, prevent diabetes and heart disease, and increase your sex drive as well as fertility! Catching up on lost sleep The above points show how important sleep is to both your body and mind, and if you feel that you are struggling from the late footie-filled nights, there are a few ways that you can deal with sleep loss. The most important thing you can do is to allow yourself to sleep for longer. Where possible, ensure you stick to a bedtime that allows at least eight hours of snooze a night. Try to avoid caffeine or sugar as they only work in a very short-term basis, and turn that alarm clock off on the weekend - give yourself a chance to sleep in! We're in the lucky position where England has played their last late match, with kick-off times changing to the more manageable 9pm from Monday 23^rd June, but with a week to go, it's just as important to keep an eye on your sleep health as it is on the score.