There are many things we should do every day to nurture our mental health. These things can be exercise, gratitude practice or socialization and the list go on.

But sadly for some reason, quality sleep isn’t high on the list.

Yes, it is a well-researched fact that quality sleep is important to our mental and emotional well-being. In fact, sleep is one of the pillars to optimal health and overall well-being. But still we refuse to give enough attention on our sleep pattern.

We’re all familiar that good night sleep gives our body and mind a time to unwind. And for this good reason, sleep is the golden opportunity to de-stress and relax. When we have quality sleep at night, we wake up feeling refreshed. We are more alert and clear-headed.

But do you know sleep is linked with our mental and emotional well-being too? 

The inextricable link between sleep and mental health 

Believe it or not, sleep is the simplest and cost-effective remedy to reset our brain and it’s functioning.

Sleep acts as a natural repair mechanism for our brain. Like our body, our brain needs rest and recovery to function properly. 

According to neuroscientists, it is during sleep several repair and maintenance processes take place in the brain.  The brain processes and consolidates complex information when we sleep. It is during sleep when neural connections are strengthened.

Studies reveal that we can learn and remember better if we are well-rested. Experts suspect that while we sleep, new learning and memory pathways get formed in the brain. Furthermore, sleep speeds up the activity of existing neuronal pathways.

And therefore, a good night’s sleep can help us to learn new skills, create long-term memories and improve our focus. With this, our mental abilities like learning, problem-solving and decision-making become much easier.

Life always tested all of us in unexpected ways and put us in incredibly stressful situation. This increases the risk of developing emotional instability. At this time, sleep is the very thing that we need to navigate through this tough time.

Also Check : Navigating A World Of Emotions

Our sleeping pattern can affect how well we feel throughout the day. 

A sufficient quantity of sleep brings clarity in our thought process and helps us to operate at our best. 

When we get a good night’s sleep, we’re better able to control our emotions and behaviour. We come up with better ideas and are able to cope with challenges. 

When we are in the right frame of mind, it’s easy for us to have a positive outlook on life. This gives us strength to bounce back from upsetting events and head towards a life of worthiness.

On the contrary, the cost of inadequate sleep is huge. Poor sleep can lead to depletion of energy, low mood and irritability. 

Furthermore, the sleep deprivation often contributes to emotional struggle and negative thinking pattern. In long term, insufficient sleep enhances the risk of development of depression, anxiety and emotional instability. All these psychiatric problems are known to be characterized  with disturb sleep pattern.

Essentially, the role of sleep in relation to mental well-being is bi-directional, meaning that a sleep deprivation leads to psychological disturbances and psychological problems significantly impact sleep pattern.  Thus, sleep and mental health both are inextricably linked with each other.

Establishing a healthy sleep routine

Though mental health benefits of quality sleep are numerous, establishing a consistent sleep routine is challenging for many of us.

The concept of practicing ‘healthy sleep routine’  is easier to say than done.

Surveys have found that millions have the problem of sleep disturbances in the form of trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Furthermore, stress related to various life events can interfere to achieve a state of restorative sleep.

However, there are number of things we can do to establish a healthy sleep routine. Staying active, eating well, practicing relaxation methods, unplugging from a screen one hour before sleep or avoiding stimulant like caffeine in the afternoon all are well-known remedies to improve sleep. 

If you take a closer look, good sleep starts with good habits which come with adoption of healthy lifestyle.

Yes, sometimes our sleep problems are deep-rooted and therefore, need attention from medical experts. At this point, it is always good to consult your doctor and gets yourself evaluated for the same.

Every morning ask yourself  a question.

“Did I get adequate sleep last night?”

If the answer is no, it’s time to make your sleep a priority and reap the benefits of mental wellness. 

Also Check : Nurturing Mental Health

Disclaimer

Mediclin Brain Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.