Sleep and Your Mental Health

Supporting Your Emotional Health With Better Rest

While many people know that sleep is essential for general health and wellness, many are not aware that it also helps support emotional wellness. Read on to learn more about how prioritizing your rest can help to regulate your mood and give your emotional well-being a healthful boost.

How Good Quality Rest Supports Your Mental Health

If you’ve ever skipped out on an hour or two of sleep, you may be familiar with the negative effects of sleep deprivation on your mood. For instance, you may feel a bit groggy and have difficulty to focusing after one night of poor rest, but if poor sleep becomes a habit, it also can have negative effects on your emotional wellness.

According to the Sleep Foundation, the type of brain activity that happens when you’re asleep helps to support your mental and emotional health. In fact, getting the recommended seven to nine hours of good-quality sleep each night can help to reduce your risk of experiencing symptoms associated with the following mental health issues:

• Anxiety
• Attention-deficit disorder (ADD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder (BPD)
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Schizophrenia

Tips for a Better Night’s Rest

When it comes to falling asleep faster and getting better quality rest, it is important to practice good sleep hygiene. This means setting aside time to wind down before bed and optimizing your sleep environment. Some simple ways you can do this include:

• Take a warm shower or bath before bed
• Dim the lights in your bedroom 30 minutes before bed
• Journal or read a book before heading to sleep
• Keep your bedroom electronics-free before bed
• Draw your curtains to keep out unwanted light disturbances
• Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature
• Drink a cup of warm, uncaffeinated tea to help you relax

Primary and Specialty Care in Ohio

The Southwest General Medical Group, Inc. includes both primary care and specialty care physicians who are committed to providing patients with high-quality medical care. Our team of board-certified specialists and skilled physicians work to raise the bar for excellence in health care service for our community. To learn more about our primary and specialty care services or schedule an appointment, visit our website.