LAGOS — Most Nigerian men over 40 brag about how little sleep they need. “I am used to four hours,” they say. What they do not say is that those missing hours are quietly damaging their hearts, hormones, and mental health.
Sleep is not a luxury. For men above 40, it is a critical health requirement. Yet the pressures of business, traffic, late-night football, and financial stress mean that millions of Nigerian men are running dangerously short on rest.
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What Happens When You Do Not Sleep Enough
The science is clear. Men who consistently sleep fewer than six hours a night face a significantly higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. In addition, sleep deprivation reduces testosterone levels, which affects libido, muscle mass, and mood.
“We are seeing more men in their 40s and 50s presenting with high blood pressure and they cannot identify any obvious cause,” said Dr Adaeze Oreh, a public health expert in Abuja. “When we dig deeper, chronic sleep deprivation is frequently a major factor.”
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Mental Health Impact
Beyond the physical, poor sleep wrecks mental performance. Concentration suffers. Irritability rises. Decision-making becomes impaired. Many men describe this state as simply feeling tired all the time, without realising that the root cause is inadequate sleep.
Simple Changes That Work
Sleep hygiene does not require expensive gadgets. Turn off your phone 30 minutes before bed. Keep the bedroom dark and cool. Avoid heavy meals and alcohol late at night.
Try to sleep and wake at the same time every day. This trains your body’s internal clock. Aim for seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep nightly.
If snoring or gasping for breath disturbs your sleep, see a doctor. These could be signs of sleep apnoea, a common and treatable condition.
