Lack of sleep can affect our mental as well as our physical health. If we are unable to sleep well at night, we may feel sleepy and disoriented, throughout the day. We will feel less motivated and energized throughout the day. When people are under stress, they often develop inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that is often diagnosed by taking an adult ADD test.
- Lack of sleep can affect your mood, performance, and energy levels
At times, people feeling low fail to realize that poor sleep is what is making them feel sad or depressed. Lack of sleep or chronic insomnia, if not controlled in time, can affect our mood, performance, and energy levels. You will notice a change in your mood and energy levels. You might become fussier and irritable. Similarly, some people end up developing clinical depression and other mental disorders as well.
- We are unable to concentrate on our personal and professional life
Without proper sleep, we are unable to concentrate on our work and spend quality time with our family and friends. Doctors and psychologists have heavily researched on the connection between sleep and mental health. For instance, people who have chronic insomnia are more likely to develop clinical depression than those individuals who sleep well at night.
- Lack of sleep makes our body restless and unable to function properly
People who find it hard to sleep at night or are prone to suffering from sleeping disorders like Sleep Apnea. Our body is naturally programmed to repair itself at night. If we are continuously waking up, our body becomes restless and won’t be able to function correctly. A recent study conducted on 19,000 individuals revealed that people diagnosed with Sleep Apnea are five times more likely to go through clinical depression. Another study warns that Sleep Apnea Should be More Concerning than Thought.
- Lack of sleep affects our brain activity and chemicals that regulate our moods and thoughts
Medical experts believe that when our sleep is interrupted multiple times during the night, it affects our brain activity and chemicals that regulate our mood and thoughts. The relation between our sleep and emotional health, is very close. When we are unable to get a good 8-hour sleep, we experience various psychological changes, including clinical depression, anxiety, and other related mental health problems.
- The strong connection between sleep disorder and depression
Once a person develops these psychiatric conditions, they may encounter even more difficulty in sleeping at night. Therefore, one can safely say that there is a deep connection between mental health and one’s sleeping patterns.
- Lack of sleep can lead to severe mental and emotional health problems
Whether we sleep a lot or find trouble sleeping, it can affect our mental health and emotional well-being. If a person is unable to sleep at night, then it is recommended that they take appropriate measures in time. If these symptoms are ignored, they risk severe mental and emotional health problems.
Ways to help address Sleep Disorder
- Try to make positive changes in your daily routine
If you are going through stress regarding a particular event or project that you need to plan, then it is entirely reasonable to feel nervous or anxious. However, if you experience the same feelings without any particular reason or explanation, you need to make positive changes in your daily routine. Avoid having caffeinated drinks at night. Moreover, try to finish your dinner at least 4-5 hours before going to bed.
- Try meditation and practice deep breathing exercises before going to bed
Avoid having midnight snacks in bed and switch off all electronic gadgets and devices during the night. You can try meditating and practicing deep breathing exercises before going to bed. This will help you become more calm and relaxed. You can even practice yoga to calm down your mind and body.
- Play some soothing music or read books to relax and unwind your mind
You can also try having soothing herbal teas before going to bed. You can even play some sleep-inducing music or read a book to relax and unwind your mind.
To sum up
Avoid taking sleeping pills or drugs for sleeping at night, as they are detrimental to your overall health if used for an extended period of time. They can damage your liver and are addictive. Moreover, avoid sleeping during the day, especially if you don’t have an active and busy lifestyle. If you are exhausted and feeling tired, you can opt for a quick 10-minute power nap instead of taking a long afternoon nap.