Sleep is an important physiological function similar to breathing, eating, and drinking. It plays a circular role in physical and mental health. 8 hours of sleep is considered necessary to live a healthy life. But mostly people face sleep disorders which affects their mental health. In this article, we will understand the importance of good sleep and how sleep disorders impact mental health or if mental health could disturb the sleep cycle.
Understanding Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorder is a condition that affects the sleep patterns and quality and duration of sleep. Some of the most common sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, parasomnias, etc. Sleep disorders can be from mild to severe forms and may be caused by many reasons like stress, anxiety, depression, physical health, and environmental factors that not only disturb the sleep cycle but also destroy mental health.
The Connection Between Sleep and Mental Health
Sleep and mental health are very intercorrelated to each other. Some of the sleep cycle could be disturbing because of mental health and while on the other bad sleep routine could also become a cause of bad mental health. Some studies have proved that, disturbed sleeping scheduling can exacerbate mental health issues or could create new ones.
The Impact of Sleep Disorders on Mental Health
Here are some ways how sleep disorders can impact mental health:
Mood Disorders
Individuals who are suffering from sleep disorders and don’t get enough sleep have more chance will experiencing mood disturbances such as stress or depression. They may get headaches and blurriness in their eyes which makes them irritated and they start getting angry and shouting at anyone. When sleep is disturbed, it becomes quite difficult to control emotions and stay calm.
Anxiety
Sleep disorders like insomnia are closely linked to anxiety disorders. Individuals suffering from insomnia often worry about their sleep patterns which affects their mental health. They take pills or do remedies to get sleep. Studies have shown that less sleep could cause high levels of cholesterol, and increase the body’s stress hormones which further fuels anxiety, and individuals trapped in a loop between sleep and mental health.
Cognitive Decline
Having proper sleep is important for cognitive functions such as learning, memory, focus, attention, and decision-making. People with sleep disorders often face issues of memory loss, blurriness in front of their eyes, low span time of concentration, etc. In most severe cases, it could lead to serious mental health issues like dementia which means it affects their thinking skills, problem-solving, memory loss, or difficulty in daily life activities
How Mental Health Disorders Affect Sleep
The relationship between sleep disorders and mental health is bidirectional. Because of the disturbance of one others also got affected. Just as sleep disorders could cause mental health, same as pre-existing mental health issues could cause a lack of sleep.
Anxiety and Sleep
Anxiety makes it difficult for the individual to sleep peacefully, he/she thinks of the same thing repeatedly and stays worried. Individuals with anxiety disorders often face racing thoughts, muscle tightening, and elevated heart rates at night which make it harder for them to sleep properly.
Depression and Sleep
According to research, there are 75% of people with depression could face insomnia. Individuals sleep restlessly and wake up frequently throughout the night. They are unable to take longer periods of sleep or consistent sleep.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PSTD could cause nightmares or insomnia. Individuals often remember their traumatic experience which disrupts their natural sleep cycle. These flashbacks and memories did not let them sleep peacefully. These thoughts are not in their control. Suddenly they have a flashback that turns their mood off or sad and fills their mind with full of thoughts or regrets and at last becomes cause of sleep deprivation.
Tips for Improving Sleep and Mental Health
To maintain a healthy balance between sleep and mental its important to adopt a good sleeping hygiene practices. Some tips are given below:
Establish a Routine
Make your schedule and fix the time of going to bed and waking up in the morning. Try to sleep and wake up at the same time regularly even on weekends. This helps in regulating your internal clock and improves sleep quality.
Create a Relaxing Sleep Environment
Make your bedroom peaceful and comfy before sleep. Try to make it cool, quiet, and dark. Remove distractions like electronic devices and use comfortable and soft bedding. Try to take a shower at night which also helps in relaxing the mind and getting peaceful sleep.
Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
Have your dinner before 2 hours of your sleep and avoid caffeine and alcohol in dinners as it interfere the sleep. To ensure a restful night avoid eating heavy dinners eat light and little and drink lukewarm milk which also relaxes your body and helps in get better sleep.
Exercise Regularly
Physical activity helps in reducing anxiety and stress and keeps the body active and fit. After exercise body demands rest, which helps in getting better sleep. Must try to do exercise or yoga daily which not only improves your mental health but also your sleeping schedule.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed
The blue light from phones or tablets can disrupt your sleep and keep you engaged with devices. Try to limit the use of electronic devices in the evening or at least one hour before bed. You can practice some meditation, or some muscle relaxation techniques to keep your mind and body calm and give a rest after a hectic day.
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, after doing every step mentioned above some individuals still find themselves struggling with sleep disorders or mental health issues then you should consult with mental health experts and start taking your therapy. They will find the root cause and suggest an actionable solution accordingly. They will recommend some techniques to calm your mind and sleep peacefully.
SehatYab: Your Partner in Mental Health and Better Sleep
We know sleep and mental health are related to each other. Our team of experts is dedicated to using their comprehensive approach to guide you through the techniques to get enough sleep. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders, we are here to provide you with mental health consultations in the comfort of your home. Our mental health professional will guide you on how you can get proper sleep and work on improving your mental health.
By analyzing root causes, our experts will try to resolve your sleep patterns which improves your mental health and makes your proper sleeping schedule
At Sehatyab, we are on a mission to give you a healthier and happier life. Take the first step towards better mental health and a good night’s sleep by booking a consultation with one of our experts today. You can visit our website and learn about the other services we offer, or you can contact us directly via email or phone. Our team will contact you and schedule an appointment. Let’s shake hands and together break the cycle of sleep disorder because a well-rested mind is a healthy mind.