Things that happen in your sleep
Our natural sleep patterns are controlled by an internal body clock called a "circadian clock" that regulates body temperature, hormone levels, heart rate and other vital bodily functions.
While you're asleep, you're actively restoring fundamental chemical balance – all in preparation for a new day, and a fresh start.
Sleep also keeps electrical currents flowing and essentially recharges your batteries, so if you haven’t been sleeping, its little wonder you feel so awful. Your body can't function without sleep – and shutting down is its way of trying to tell you this.
Why the insomnia hangover?
The day after a sleepless night, people often experience heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness or light-headedness.
"It's because your Cortisol levels are disrupted when you don’t sleep properly. Cortisol is an important hormone that helps to regulate blood pressure and metabolism.
"Not sleeping invariably affects your heart rate. When we sleep, we are relaxed and our pulse and breathing slows down. Not sleeping means that no slowing down or relaxation occurs, and you're left in a very anxious type of space."
When you fail to sleep, your eyes also aren’t lubricated, and they feel scratchy the next day as a result of it.
"When we're awake, our bodies are tense, and tensed-up. Being awake repeatedly will eventually take its toll on the body. The muscles have no chance to relax and only in sleep are we truly relaxed."