The Effects of Sleep Deprivation. The physiological demands of a 24 hour race take their toll on everyone involved. Whether you are a racing driver, mechanic, working in hospitality or a car-park attendant, make sure you prepare properly ahead of this year’s Le Mans extravaganza. Sleep deprivation and fatigue can increase the body’s production of the “stress hormone,” cortisol, which heightens your emotional state and stress levels, making routine tasks feel particularly challenging and demanding. Cortisol production has numerous emotional effects that include a decline in cognitive function, mental focus and the efficiency of working memory. Be patient with your team and try to deal with tasks collectively. Try to be clear, and precise when communicating, even if you have to repeat yourself several times! In terms of physical effects, sleep deprivation has been found to cause an increase in blood pressure at rest. To help regulate your blood pressure, ensure that you are staying well hydrated, especially when you are trying to work through the night. Increasing your intake of water will help reduce potential spikes in your blood pressure and help you stay mentally alert.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:24:01 +0000
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