Regularly sleeping less than seven hours nightly can negatively impact adult health, according to experts. Sleep is crucial for tissue repair, hormone balance, memory consolidation, and immunity. Chronic sleep deprivation can alter stress hormones, increase blood pressure, disrupt glucose metabolism, and raise the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and mental health issues. Experts caution that weekend catch-up sleep does not undo long-term harm, and daytime sleepiness is a key warning sign of insufficient rest, leading to exhaustion and decreased productivity.