Sleeping Better

When discussing healthy ways to look after your mental health the topic of sleep cannot be ignored. Most of us know we should be getting around eight hours of sleep every night, but there are a variety of reasons why we might not be doing so. Many of us are quick to cut into our sleep time in order to get other things done. Sleep is not only a vital part of our physical well being, but it has a clear connection to our mental health.

Our mental and physical health are both connected and make up parts of our entire well being. The quality of our sleep can impact our mental health in a number of ways and plays a significant role in our mood. A poor sleep can leave you feeling irritable, grumpy, and increase feeling of stress. This impact on mood can affect relationships and other areas of our lives. You are more likely to neglect doing things you enjoy, or things that you know support a healthy lifestyle when you are sleep deprived. If you experience feeling persistently sad or empty, it may be linked to poor sleep quality. Research shows that poor sleep is linked to an increase in feelings of anxiety and depression. The relationship between sleep and mental illness is complicated as both strongly affect one another.

By prioritizing a good sleep and practicing different ways to improve your sleep quality you will experience the effects a good night’s rest can have on your mental and physical health. There are a variety of ways to set yourself up for a better sleep. Completely removing or limiting your intake before bed, of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, can help improve the overall quality of your sleep. Getting daily physical activity and eating a healthy diet can help you fall asleep faster and wake up less often during the night. The best way to get started on improving your sleep is practicing good sleep hygiene. This includes things such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day; keeping your bedroom dark and free from electronics; and avoiding laying in your bed if you are not tired. If after a few minutes of trying to sleep you are unable to, get up and try doing something boring or relaxing until you begin to feel tired again. Other things such as practicing relaxation techniques or keeping a sleep diary may be helpful to improve your sleeping routine.

If you’re finding it difficult to sleep even after making lifestyle adjustments or you experience persistently poor sleep it is important to speak with your doctor and find solutions that will work for you. This post discussed information from the Canadian Mental Health Association, SleepFoundation.org, and Harvard Health Publishing’s article, Sleep and Mental Health. Challenge yourself to make sleep a priority in your health and fitness routine and you can reap the benefits in every area of your life.