You know that there are choices you make throughout the day that affect your mental health. The people you spend time with, the environments that surround you, even the food you eat has an impact. But what about the choices you make at night? Is there any connection between sleep and mental health?
It turns out, the answer is a resounding yes.
The link between sleep and mental health
Lack of quality sleep can have a direct impact on your mental wellbeing. That probably doesn’t surprise you, since you know the irritability and sluggishness that can come with a horrible night’s rest.
But the connection between sleep and mental health runs deeper. Harvard Medical School reports that 10–18% of American adults struggle with sleep. But among people who are actively seeking psychiatric care, that number jumps to 50–80%. Why does the rate of sleep problems quadruple in people with mental health conditions? Does sleeplessness cause mental health disorders or do mental health disorders lead to sleeplessness?
It turns out, the answer is: both.
Sleep can help or hurt you
First, let’s look at how sleep problems can worsen — and even cause — mental health issues. When your sleep cycle gets disrupted, it takes a toll on your brain. This affects the balance of your brain, impacting your stress hormones and neurotransmitters. As a result, sleep interruptions and sleeplessness can worsen the symptoms of your mental health disorder.
Conversely, a good night’s rest gives your brain the opportunity to balance itself, helping you feel better throughout the day.
Sleep and specific mental health conditions
While it’s generally true that good rest is important for mental and physical health, there are some mental health conditions where sleep plays a heightened role.
That same Harvard report shares that sleep problems affect as many as 90% of people with depression, for example. It shares that half of people with anxiety disorders have sleep issues and when in a manic episode, insomnia affects as many as 99% of people with bipolar disorder. If you’re living with one of these mental health conditions, you’re probably making some changes to help yourself live your most balanced life.
While prioritizing a good night’s rest might seem like the least of your worries, take some time to evaluate your sleep habits. Making some changes to your nighttime routine can make a big difference in the way you feel. If you’re not getting quality rest on a regular basis, the National Sleep Foundation has some great tips you can use.
Figuring out what works for your body and your brain can be tricky. We’re here to help. To talk about lifestyle changes you can make — like sleep modifications — to improve your mental health, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center.
