Many office workers frequently stay up late, yet this habit inflicts significant harm on our bodies. What are the specific damages caused by sleep deprivation?
Experts indicate that individuals who regularly stay up late face a 60-fold higher risk of developing cancer compared to those who maintain regular sleep schedules. Among female professionals such as medical workers, police officers, and journalists who consistently work night shifts, the risk of breast cancer is 70 times higher than in their non-night-shift counterparts.
Damage Caused by Staying Up Late
1. Chronic Fatigue and Weakened Immunity
The most severe consequence of frequent late nights is persistent fatigue and mental exhaustion. Immune function also declines, making you more susceptible to colds, gastrointestinal infections, allergies, and other autonomic nervous system disorders.
2. Headaches
The day after staying up late, you may experience dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or even headaches during work or class. Chronic sleep deprivation and insomnia also cause invisible damage to memory.
3. Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes
Nighttime is the body's natural rest period. Failing to rest when needed leads to excessive fatigue, impairing blood circulation around the eyes. This causes dark circles, puffy eyes, or bloodshot whites.
4. Dry Skin, Dark Spots, Acne
The period from 11 PM to 3 AM is the body's beauty time, corresponding to the meridian flow through the gallbladder and liver. Insufficient rest for these organs manifests in the skin as roughness, sallow complexion, dark spots, and acne.For those unaccustomed to early bedtimes, it's essential to enter deep sleep by 1 a.m. at the latest, the liver's restorative period.
What to Eat When Frequently Staying Up Late
1. Lotus Seed and Lily Bulb Stew with Lean Pork
Combine 20g lotus seeds (pits removed), 20g lily bulbs, and 100g lean pork with sufficient water. Simmer until meat is tender, season with salt, and consume once daily.This soup clears the heart, moistens the lungs, boosts energy, and calms the mind. Those experiencing dry cough, insomnia, restlessness, or palpitations after staying up late may benefit from consuming it more often.Fish Soup with Bean Curd Skin
Each serving: Wash 250g bean curd skin and cut into small pieces. Remove gills and innards from one whole fish. Simmer with water. Once fish is cooked, add shredded ginger, oil, and salt to taste. Eat the fish and drink the soup. Prepare monthly or every other day. This dish relaxes tendons, invigorates qi, harmonizes blood, and relieves muscle pain. Ideal for those experiencing muscle soreness or neck stiffness after staying up late.
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Summer枯草 Stewed with Lean Pork
Each time, use 10g of summer枯草 and 50-100g of lean pork. Add an appropriate amount of water and stew together. Once the meat is cooked, add some smoke. Eat the meat and drink the broth. Consume once daily. This clears liver fire and lowers blood pressure, making it highly effective for hypertensive patients.
4.Steamed Duck Eggs
Steam 20g raw rehmannia root with 1-2 duck eggs in a water bath. After eggs are cooked, peel them and return to the broth for another 20 minutes. Add rock sugar to taste. Eat eggs and drink broth 1-3 times daily. This nourishes yin, clears heat, generates fluids, quenches thirst, and alleviates dry mouth, sore throat, and swollen gums.
5. Stewed Eucommia Bark with Pork Kidney
Use 25g of Eucommia bark and 1 pork kidney per serving. Stew for 1 hour. Consume daily or every 2–3 days. This helps nourish the liver and kidneys, strengthen tendons and bones, and is beneficial for those suffering from back pain, limb weakness, and frequent late nights.