Everyone knows that sleep plays a huge role in our physical and mental health. When you’re sleep-deprived, you can easily become irritated and exhausted. It can also have numerous long-term health consequences you should be aware of. So, if you want to learn why sleep is so important for our mental health, just keep on reading. There are also some useful tips on how to improve the quality of your sleep, so check them out and enjoy!
The importance of sleep for your mental health
- Getting enough sleep can lower your stress levels
Did you know that getting enough good night’s sleep can lower your stress levels? That’s right, which is why you should do everything you can to sleep tight every night. Poor sleep quality can make it very difficult to cope with everyday stress. This is particularly true if you have a full-time job and an extremely busy schedule. These can quickly become a huge source of frustration, and it gets even worse when you aren’t getting enough sleep. Truth be told, lack of sleep can turn into a source of stress itself. So, the best way to prevent that is to prioritize sleep no matter what. It’ll help you feel much better and focus on your everyday tasks with more success. Do it and you’ll inevitably see amazing results!
- Poor sleep quality can result in anxiety and depression
In case you weren’t aware of it, insomnia can be linked to numerous mental health problems. The most common ones are anxiety and depression, as some studies even show that lack of sleep can actually cause depression. So, if you have trouble sleeping at night, you should definitely seek professional help early on. It’s one of the best measures that can both prevent and treat mental health problems. When it comes to sleep deprivation and anxiety, it goes in both directions. Whereas anxious people tend to experience more sleep disturbances, sleep deprivation can also contribute to feelings of anxiety. This can easily become an enchanted circle that can worsen both your sleep and anxiety issues, so do your best to detect this problem in time!
- Good night’s sleep can relieve a wide range of other mental problems
Apart from anxiety and depression, getting enough good night’s sleep can relieve a wide range of other mental problems as well. For example, sleep deprivation is quite common among people with bipolar disorder. They often deal with issues such as nightmares, insomnia, and irregular sleep-wake cycles. ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) is on this list, too. It affects children between the ages of 6 and 17, and the truth is that between 25% and 55% of children who have this disorder also experience sleep disturbances. The good news is that sleep problems are usually perceived as modifiable risk factors for many conditions. It means that improving sleep quality and quantity can relieve symptoms of these mental disorders, which is always good to know!
How to improve the quality of your sleep?
- Make sure to sleep on a top-quality pillow
In order to improve the quality of your sleep, the first thing you must do is to find the best pillow. First of all, did you know that sleep makes up one-third of our lives? That’s right, which is why we must choose only top-quality sleeping essentials. The best pillows will provide optimal neck support that can significantly improve the quality of your sleep. For example, pillows made from memory foam are extremely popular nowadays. It’s because memory foam molds to the shape of your neck and head while maintaining maximum support. On the other hand, if you’re looking for the perfect combination of comfort and breathability, you should go for a pillow made from bamboo. This is an antibacterial and hypoallergenic material that naturally regulates your body temperature, so give it a try and you’ll see what we were talking about!
- Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it
Establishing a bedtime routine is crucial if you want to improve the quality of your sleep in the long run. It shouldn’t surprise you at all simply because humans are creatures of habit. Once you establish a bedtime routine, you’ll help your brain recognize when it’s time to sleep. It basically means that you should perform activities in the same order every night. An established bedtime routine will also help you reduce late-night stress and anxiety. This is vital if you want to sleep tight, completely relax, and clear your mind and body every night. Besides that, following a consistent sleep routine will train your brain to naturally feel tired when it’s bedtime. It doesn’t get better than that!
- Stop using your phone before going to bed
Even though millions of people can’t imagine their bedtime routine without scrolling through social media, we must say that this is the last thing you need. That’s right – jumping into bed with a smartphone in your hands can bring more harm than good in the long run. Firstly, it’s because it keeps your mind engaged. Checking your phone will stimulate your brain and make you more active and awake. This is what you should avoid, as you need the exact opposite when getting ready for bed. Your mind will stay active for quite some time after you’ve scrolled through your Instagram feed. As a result, you won’t feel relaxed and at peace – but irritated instead. Apart from that, your phone emits blue light that can disturb your sleep-wake cycle. So, stay away from it at least 30 minutes before going to bed and you’ll see a great improvement!
As you can see, getting enough sleep is absolutely essential for our mental health. The reasons for that are more than good, so bear them in mind and learn how to improve the quality of your sleep in the long run. There are so many amazing ways to make it happen, so take one step at a time and you’ll undoubtedly succeed. It’s a promise!