How Poor Sleep Affects Your Mental Health

Do you usually work longer hours at night? Do you spend a lot of time out with your pals and partying till the early hours of the morning? Or do you find it hard to get a good shut-eye? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you might not be getting enough sleep. The number of hours you sleep and mental health is inextricably linked, and a lack of sleep can impair the latter.

You’re always reminded to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night for your brain to function during the day. However, many people don’t get enough sleep because of work, family, and other responsibilities. Instead, they rely on coffee to get through the day.  

While it’s tempting to disregard sleep, have you ever thought about how essential it is to keep a mentally healthy lifestyle? 

The Effect Of Sleep On Your Mental Health  

Sleep has a critically vital role in recharging your brain after a whole day of facing life’s daily hustle, similar to how you charge your smartphone after extended usage. A healthy night’s sleep helps refresh your brain in preparation for the next day’s grueling challenges. So, when you deprive yourself of sleep, your productivity and mood will be affected.  

Sleep deprivation has physiological repercussions that have a huge and profound effect on a person’s daily mood. Sleep issues can cause mental health issues, while mental health issues can cause poor sleep. Because of this cyclical link between sleep habits and mental wellbeing, it’s essential to consult a physician if you’re experiencing difficulty getting or staying asleep. If you believe you have a sleep-related illness such as sleep apnea, it’s advisable to consult a Houston ENT doctor to determine the severity of your concern.  

Psychological Symptoms And Effects Of Having Insufficient Sleep  

Persistent sleep deprivation can be a significant risk factor for developing serious depressive illness. You may feel depressed or anxious, your anxiety and depression may intensify, or your insomnia may become more severe. Given the variety of symptoms, it’s critical to diagnose and resolve sleep disorders as soon as possible.  

Here are psychological and physical ill-health symptoms implicated by a lack of sleep.

1. Increased Irritability And Anger  

If you’ve ever faced a day following a night of toss and turns, you’re well aware of the disruptive consequences of sleep deprivation. You may have experienced mood swings, such as increased irritation and hostility, making it significantly more difficult to everyday stress.

2. Depression  

While having a sleep condition doesn’t lead to depression, sleeplessness can. If you’re unable to sleep due to another health condition, insomnia, or personal matters, your depression may worsen. Likewise, if you’re unable to sleep for longer durations, this may indicate depression.  

3. Anxiety  

Without adequate sleep, anxiety and stress can manifest and directly impact your daily mood and productivity. Sleep deprivation results in the same brain functions that make an individual susceptible to anxiety. While it’s not its primary cause, it can significantly exacerbate its other clinical symptoms, intensifying the anxiety.  

Poor Cognitive Functioning And Performance   

Sleeping enough is also critical for your focus and cognition. Studies say that the longer you go without adequate sleep, your cognitive function degrades, and you may become more impulsive. You may exhibit indications of memory loss, mess up, and think more slowly than usual.  

What You Can Do

To prevent irritability, depression, anxiety, and poor cognitive performance, it would be best to improve your sleep patterns. You can begin by creating a sleep-wake schedule that you can follow. Also, you may try modifying your bedroom and making it a sleep-conducive environment. You may either improve your room’s temperature, add or remove some lighting, or make any changes that help you sleep better.  

Another way to have a good night’s sleep is to get enough exercise every day. Even simple workouts like walking or cycling can significantly improve the quality of your sleep. Also, you should avoid using electronic gadgets late at night since the bright light might be too stimulating and keep you up.  

Key Takeaways

Were you surprised by how sleep deprivation can affect your brain’s health? Indeed, getting enough sleep is integral to avoiding the mentioned psychological symptoms and effects of lack of sleep. Getting at least seven hours of sleep or more each night can become more challenging, particularly in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.

However, maintaining a sleep-wake cycle, setting a sleep-friendly room, engaging in regular exercise, and abstaining from devices before bedtime is some of the effective approaches to combat sleeplessness. While time is valuable, self-care and adequate sleep are even more so.