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Sleepless Nights Associated With Poor Mental Health
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Not getting enough sleep for just one night makes you feel worn-out, groggy, and moody. We might think, “Maybe if I just have an extra cup of coffee,” or, “Maybe if I just catch a quick nap later I’ll feel better.” But what if you miss sleep for two nights in a row? What if this lack of sleep continues for a few nights or more? Can it really affect your mental health? Studies say yes! So what are some of the side effects of not getting enough sleep, and how much sleep should you be getting? Let’s discuss.
How can lack of sleep affect mental health?
- Cells slow down – It turns out that groggy or sluggish feeling you get may go all the way down to the cellular level. Brain cells communicate with each other through electrical signals. However, sleep deprivation causes these signals to become slower and weaker. You can think of this as a remote control with batteries that are almost dead. It may still be able to change the channel, but it might take more than one try, and it may be slower. This is similar to what happens to the brain when it is sleep deprived — the signals may still fire, but it may take more than one try, and it may be slower.
- Negative thinking – When we are sleep-deprived, our brains have more negative thoughts. And these thoughts may become repetitive. These repetitive negative thoughts may then lead to difficulty falling asleep. This can often become a cycle in which individuals who are sleep-deprived get stuck in these negative thoughts and stuck getting sleepless nights.
- Depression – Sleep problems are associated with an increased risk for depression. Some studies show that individuals with sleep problems are as much as four times more likely to develop depression.
How much sleep do you really need?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the amount of sleep a person needs depends on a number of factors, including sleep quality and health. However, one of the main factors that determines how much sleep you need is age. The recommended hours of sleep per 24 hours or per day for each age group are as follows:
- 0-3 months: 14-17 hours
- 4-12 months: 12-16 hours (including naps)
- 1-2 years: 11-14 hours (including naps)
- 3-5 years: 10-13 hours (including naps)
- 6-12 yeas: 9-12 hours
- 13-18 years: 8-10 hours
- 18-60 years: 7 or more hours
- 61-64 years: 7-9 hours
- 65 and older: 7-8 hours
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So how can you get more sleep?
If we know that lack of sleep is tied to decreased mental health, how can we reduce our risks? Simple! Get more sleep. What are some ways you can ensure a better night’s sleep?
- Make sleep a priority. Schedule sleep just like you would schedule other things you prioritize in your life, such as exercise or time with your family.
- Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet.
- Don’t use cell phones, tablets, or computers before bed.
- Avoid caffeine and large meals before bedtime.
- Turn down the thermostat. Our bodies sleep better when it is a few degrees cooler.
- Be careful with naps. Naps that are too long or too close to bedtime may make it difficult to fall asleep.
- Exercise during the day. Sleep quality is significantly improved when you consistently exercise during the day.
READ ALSO: 7 Natural Drinks You Can Make For Better Sleep Infographic
What does this all mean?
Sleep is important to your mental health. Although everyone may have a sleepless night here and there, sleep should be a priority for each of us. Your brain and mental health deserve it. You deserve it.
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