What is the correlation between sleep and mental health? Let us find out how important it is to have good and complete sleep.
Sleep plays an important role in your mental and physical health conditions. Better and more complete sleep will likely contribute to a healthier mental and psychological state.
Generally, sleep problems can contribute to certain mental illnesses and may increase the risk of psychological problems. People with emotional problems tend to suffer from sleep deprivation compared to those people who are healthier.
Good sleep not only contributes to better mental fitness but also helps in strengthening an individual’s immune system.
Impacts of Sleep On Mental Health and Brain Development
Poor sleep tends to have negative effects on someone's mental health condition. Anxiety and despair, for example, have a substantial impact on how well people sleep. Poor or lack of sleep may trigger these conditions.
On the other hand, better sleep can lead to healthier cognitive and psychosocial development. Poor sleeping habits in the earlier stage of life may have unhealthy effects on a child's brain development and later on his overall mental health condition.
How does sleep affect mental health?
Depression
Depression is a mental illness that can have a negative impact on your life. When you're depressed, you lose interest in a wide range of activities, including your favorite ones.
Depression manifests itself in oversleeping and difficulty getting asleep. Sleep deprivation caused by another emotional issue can raise the risk of depression.
Anxiety
Depression and anxiety often happen together. Anxiety is the mind’s reaction if someone suffers from dangerous or stressful situations and conditions. Although anxiety often makes us feel uneasy and distressed, there are times that certain levels of it help us to stay alert and aware during emergency situations.
What does anxiety feel like? You have this feeling of nervousness, danger, trembling, rapid breathing, trouble thinking clearly, and others. People suffering from anxiety also suffer from sleeping problems. Likewise, sleep problems can also cause mental health problems such as anxiety.
High Functioning Anxiety
High-functioning anxiety is a mental health condition under which the patient experiences excessive concern and compulsive thinking. People with this kind of condition suffer from poor sleep, insomnia, and sleep talking.
They don’t find it hard to do their daily work. In fact, they are unstoppable and even tend to work too late at night. You can’t easily spot a person with this kind of mental disorder. Instead, you may think of them as someone who is overly perfectionist.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol Use Disorder is also known as alcoholism. It is a chronic disease that involves the uncontrolled drinking of alcoholic beverages. People suffering from this condition tend to find it difficult to control their drinking habits and continue to drink alcohol even if it already causes them a lot of problems.
Drinking alcohol in any amount can cause sleep deprivation and can induce sleep disorders. It can affect the length of your sleep time and can alter your total required sleep time.
Sleep Problem Solutions
There are proven ways that you can improve your sleep and lower the risk of mental and psychological conditions that are brought about by sleep deprivation.
Have a peaceful environment.
Be mindful of the environment where you usually take a rest. A lot of factors can affect your sleeping structure. Avoid all destructions that can prevent you from sleeping early or on time such as mobile phones, televisions, and other gadgets you can imagine.
Have a positive attitude.
It is a lot easier to sleep when we don’t worry much about anything. Try to relax and let go of all your concerns during the day. This will help you easily fall asleep. Free your mind from the destruction and always look forward to a better tomorrow.
Have a well-managed lifestyle.
They say that "you are what you eat". So if you eat healthily, you will be healthy eventually. Be mindful especially of what you eat and drink hours before bedtime. Make it a habit to sleep early and avoid doing things that will refrain you from making it to bed on time.
Have a healthy mind and body.
Keep a healthy physical and mental condition. Aside from eating healthy, you should also learn to live healthily. Take time to do some routine exercises. You can do simple exercises using safe and effective workout equipment in the comfort of your home.
It is recommended that you seek professional advice to help you address the symptoms you are experiencing. Seeking professional help prevents future mental health problems from developing. Aside from that, seek professional health advice from psychologists and doctors that can address your concerns.
Key Takeaways
Sleep and mental health have complex and reciprocal relationships with each other. Sleep deprivation is closely related to many mental health conditions. Mental health conditions greatly contribute to an individual's sleeping structure. Likewise, sleep problems are often effects of certain mental health problems.
Better sleep will give you better mental health. Our brains need a rest, and your brain relaxes when you sleep. This will help you prevent psychological problems and improve your mental health. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor if needed.