And here’s why: Staying up late has some dangerous effects on the body – in fact it’s much more serious than just feeling a little tired or groggy in the morning.

It’s Not Natural: For 500,000 years man (and woman) has lived a diurnal existence – waking with the sun and sleeping when it’s dark. This is our design by simple evolution. However with technological advancement we now have the option to change our life-style and choose instead to be nocturnal. But forcing the body to go against its natural design places it under extreme stress and causes mental and physical changes in our body.

The Brain Drain: Most of us are aware that late nights can lead to sleep deprivation – just ask a night shift worker or someone that suffers from a sleeping disorder. Not getting the necessary 8 hours of quality sleep the body requires to regenerate and recharge itself each night leads to a reduction in brain and cognitive function. Dozens of studies have proven the clear connection between a lack of sleep and reduced mental stability. When this happens we experience reduced alertness, co-ordination, concentration, memory, and motivation.

Emotionally Charged: A 2007 joint study between Harvard Medical School and the University of California revealed that sleep deprivation causes a change in the brain where we are simply unable to put things into the proper perspective. As a result we become more emotional and tend to over react to simple events, often blowing things out of proportion.

The Long Haul: Insufficient or irregular sleeping patterns also have far reaching effects on the body’s long-term equilibrium, producing stress and creating hormonal changes. This causes a cascading range of physical effects in the body often leading to changes in body weight, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, premature aging and even sleep paralysis. Further, a study in 2001 by Chicago Medical Institute proposed that a continued lack of quality sleep could also be linked to diseases including stroke, heart disease, breast and prostate cancer, and mental illness including psychosis and bipolar disorder.

Bottom Line: Sure, having the occasional late night every now and again won’t cause irreversible damage. But getting enough restful sleep each night is critical to maximising your health and vitality. And if you want to stay as youthful and beautiful as Sleeping Beauty then stick to a regular sleep schedule and see your doctor if you’re having trouble sleeping.