How Sleep Affects Mental Health: 3 Ways You Can Get More Restful Sleep.
While it might seem like a lot of time, sleep takes up nearly a third of our lives. This is a big chunk of time that we could be used to develop skills, memories, and relationships.
Unfortunately, many people have trouble sleeping. Getting an adequate amount of quality sleep can have a profound impact on your mental health, as well as physical health. Here are 3 simple ways you can improve your sleep for better mental health:
1) Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine before bedtime
2) Exercise regularly
3) Make your bedroom conducive to relaxation by removing electronics from the room and avoiding bright lights from TVs or phones.
Sleep is Important for Mental Health
A lot of people don't understand how essential sleep is for mental health. Good sleep habits can make a huge difference in how you feel each day. You'll have more energy and be less irritable, with a healthier mood and better memory retention.
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Getting a good night's sleep will also help your body recover from the day-to-day stresses that you're experiencing. Sound sleep is necessary for feelings of happiness and contentment, as well as combating stress and anxiety. Sleep deprivation can also affect your decision-making skills, moods, metabolism, hormone levels, cardiovascular function, appetite control, immune system function, and cognitive performance.
Sleep is so important for mental health that it should be considered a basic human right!
The Biggest Reasons People Don’t Get Enough Quality Sleep
There are many reasons people don't get enough quality sleep. First, research has shown that the average American spends about 2 hours a day on their smartphone or tablet (even after they've gone to bed). They also spend an average of 5 to 6 hours in front of the TV each day. These are two major factors that are keeping people from getting quality sleep because they're constantly stimulated and alert.
Another factor is the amount of time people spend near screens before bed. A recent study found that people who spent more than 4 hours in front of screens before bed had significantly less REM sleep than those who spent less time near screens before bedtime. This means they got less restorative sleep, which can lead to exhaustion, impaired attention span, and memory problems over time.
Finally, it's important to remember that every person's sleep needs are different, so what works for one person might not work for someone else. You need to experiment with timing and techniques until you find what works best for your body—and your dreams!
How You Can Improve Your Sleep for Better Mental Health
Poor sleep can be detrimental to your mental health. It has been shown to contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Not only does poor sleep negatively affect your mental health, but it also impacts your physical well-being. Research suggests that insufficient sleep can lead to obesity or diabetes by causing high blood sugar levels. It can also impair immune responses and increase inflammation in the body which may lead to cancer.
It's so important for our bodies and minds to get quality sleep because it takes up nearly a third of our day. If you're not getting the recommended seven hours of sleep per night, there are ways you can improve your sleep for better mental health.
1) Avoid stimulants before bedtime
2) Exercise regularly
3) Make sure your bedroom is conducive to relaxation by removing electronics from the room and avoiding bright lights from TVs or phones
Avoid stimulants before bedtime
Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants that can keep you awake at night. By avoiding them before bedtime, you'll be able to sleep more soundly.
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Exercise regularly
A lot of people find it hard to exercise. When you're feeling sleepy, getting up and exercising can seem like a chore. Exercise is one of the keys to better sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation found that adults who exercised reported higher quality sleep than those who didn't. Even if you don't feel energized, try to make time for some type of physical activity each day.
The National Sleep Foundation also found that people who exercise are less likely to drink alcohol before bedtime, which may cause disrupted sleep because alcohol inhibits the body's ability to metabolize adenosine, a chemical that keeps us awake.
Try not to work out within 3 hours of bedtime either. The stimulating effects of exercise will keep you awake for too long afterward.
Create a tranquil bedroom environment.
Many people spend their days surrounded by electronics, which can lead to a lack of quality sleep. It's important to take the time to prepare your bedroom for better sleep. Here are some tips you can follow:
1) Remove electronics from the room
2) Keep the lights dim
3) Set an alarm clock with a snooze button near your bed so it's easier to fall back asleep.
Conclusion
It’s not just the physical health that can suffer without sleep. Poor sleep can also lead to negative consequences for mental health. Luckily, there are many ways you can make changes to your lifestyle to ensure you’re getting enough restful sleep. To find out more, check out this blog post on how sleep affects mental health!
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