Most people know the importance of getting enough sleep per night, but many of us probably don't end up hitting the optimum amount every day.
From life stresses to nights out, or simply just not being able to shut off, there can be many things that encroach on a good night's sleep.
Sleep is essential to allow our bodies and minds to rest and repair, and not getting enough can leave people feeling sluggish and irritable the following day.
But what toll does a chronic lack of enough sleep have on the body? One terrifying simulation has shown just how much damage it can do.
British bed company Bensons For Beds teamed up with a doctor to create a visual representation of what our bodies could look like in 25 years if we regularly don't get enough sleep.
The company worked with Dr. Sophie Bostock to create an artists impression of what a female body would look like in 2050 if she regularly only gets six hours of sleep a night - which is considerably less than the recommended seven to nin hours we're supposed to get.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 57% of Americans reported need more sleep, with the average amount of sleep reported in New York City as 6 hours and 36 minutes a night.
Bensons created 'Hannah', a visual representation of the lasting damage that lack of sleep will do - and it's safe to say it's not pretty.
Hannah is seen with hunched posture, thin and lifeless hair, as well as rapidly aging and sagging skin.
Dr. Bostock explained: "Hannah is a thought-provoking illustration of the holistic impact that sleep has on maintaining overall health.
"Studies show that prolonged sleep deficiency can put you at a higher risk for conditions that may impact the heart — including obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes."
She added: "Research into the importance of consistent, good quality sleep for our health and wellbeing has accelerated in the last few decades.
"Many of us don't realize that haphazard daily routines and lack of sleep interfere with our circadian rhythms, the 24-hour cycles which control our physiology."
Previous research has shown that poor sleep can wreak havoc on a person's physical appearance, speeding up skin aging as well as diminishing the skin barrier. Over time, this can cause fine lines, wrinkles, swollen eyes, undereye bags and dark circles, as well as drooping of the skin.
The prognosis is no better for the hair, as lack of sleep can contribute to greasier hair due to the increase in the stress hormone cortisol, and even alopecia or thinning of the hair.
Lack of shut-eye can also result in back pain causing a hunched posture, as well as contributing to the build-up of visceral fat - belly fat that builds up around the vital organs and can cause a host of issues.
Being in a sleep deficit can also affect a person's ability to exercise and even a few nights of poor sleep has shown to decrease muscle protein synthesis rates in men, which in Hannah is represented by muscle atrophy in her arms and legs.
Not getting enough sleep can also affect your immunity, which could make you more prone to catching a cold or flu, and over time can even affect cognitive functioning, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney issues, depression, and increased inflammation.
Lisa Richards, Marketing Director at Bensons, added: "Hannah is a worst-case scenario prediction of what could happen to somebody if they do everything badly in terms of poor sleep routine and poor mattress support.
"The reason we wanted to create this model was to make people think more carefully about their overall sleep experience. Using this visual makes it easier for people to identify with the issue and the key signs."
But how can you get a better night's sleep? Well, they have suggested trying to wind down of an evening with meditation (and of course leaving your cell phone far away from your bed), good hydration, and a comfortable and supportive mattress.
Trying to maintain the same wake-up time every day - including on weekends - will help keep your circadian rhythm regular, making it easier to drift off and wake up each day, while physical exercise also helps your mental and sleep health, too.
Getting enough natural light in the daytime is also important, as is turning down the lights around two hours before getting into bed - and your bedroom should be kept as dark as possible, and at a cool, comfortable temperature.
Food should not be consumed less than two hours before bed, and avoid alcohol and smoking as both can have a negative effect on sleep.
If you're still struggling to get enough sleep despite all these things, it may be time to speak to a medical professional to rule out any other causes which could be affecting your shut-eye.
Here's hoping we can all save ourselves from looking like Hannah with a few extra lie-ins...
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