Did you know that mental illness is experienced by 1 in 3 Canadians at some point in their life?
Because of better diagnosis, fewer taboos, and changes in the way we live, there's no doubt that mental health issues have been on the rise over the past few decades. But, our knowledge about coping with psychological issues has also grown over this time.
Recently, for example, there's been a lot of research done into the links between sleep and mental health. If you're struggling with your mental health, it's worth looking into these areas so that you can find ways to treat and beat your illness.
Let's take a closer look at how changing the way you sleep could improve your mind.
How Does Sleep Impact Mental Health?
It's now well-known that sleep is closely linked to mental wellness. In particular, bad sleep can have a significant effect on mood, with mental health issues like depression and anxiety being caused or worsened by a lack of rest.
This is largely thought to be because sleep has a recharge and reset purpose. A good night's sleep resets your brain activity, making sure that you're emotionally ready for the day ahead. In the same way that you have to charge your phone to keep it working, your brain needs sleep to function properly.
If you've ever felt grouchy and irritable because you didn't sleep well or you're tired, you've experienced the mild effects of this. But, for some people, that bad mood can turn into a serious mental health problem.
Bad Sleep and Mental Illnesses Create a Vicious Cycle
For people at greater risk of mental health problems, ongoing bad sleep and insomnia can create a vicious loop. It can either cause you to develop issues such as major depressive disorder, or worsen those you already have. The worse you sleep, the worse these problems become.
But, mental health issues like depression and anxiety can also cause insomnia. So, as your mental health worsens, you struggle to sleep more, and your depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc. become worse.
You can still how this cycle is pretty dangerous. You become caught in a downward spiral and, without help, could end up with a very serious mental health problem.
Of course, this isn't the case for everyone. A lot of sufferers of depression, for example, sleep far more than they need and struggle to get up. Which you suffer from is entirely personal to you.
What You Can Experience From Poor Sleep
If you've been sleeping badly, you might experience a decrease in your mental health as we've mentioned, and low moods may be frequent. You're also more likely to experience psychotic episodes, like paranoia or mania. Loneliness, a lack of focus, and irritability are all common side effects of lack of sleep, too.
What Can Affect Your Sleep
For some people who already suffer from mental health issues, these are the cause of their bad sleep. Others, though, who begin with bad sleep and start to see a dip in their mental health, could have a number of different reasons to blame for their insomnia. These include:
- Stress in daily life (like money troubles)
- An uncomfortable mattress
- Sleeping in an area where you're easily disturbed
- Having a young child
- Medication
- Drugs and alcohol consumption
- Trauma
- Physical health problems
Fortunately, there are just as many ways to improve your sleep as there are causes for bad sleep.
How to Improve Your Sleep and Mental Health
If you're suffering from mental health issues that are causing or caused by bad sleep, it's important you see a doctor or other professional who can help. In the meantime, there are many other things you can do to get better sleep. Here are some of the main things to try.
Create a Regular Sleeping Pattern
Sleeping and waking at the same time every day is a brilliant way to improve your sleep. Try to set a bedtime and stick to it, and an alarm to wake up to, sticking to the plan even at weekends. Soon, your body will adjust and get into a natural rhythm.
Create a Comfortable Bedroom
Invest in the best mattress for you, install black-out blinds, and make sure you're not too hot or too cold in bed. Creating a room that's designed to help you sleep rather than hinder it is a must! As a mattress store in the Toronto area, we know how important a comfortable bed is for good sleep and highly recommend investing in your bedroom.
Don't Use Stimulants
Alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine are all stimulants that can keep you awake or worsen the quality of your sleep. Cut down on all of these, cutting them out where you can, and you might find your sleep improves.
Don't Drink Too Many Liquids
If you drink too much liquid before bed, you're likely to be woken up by a full bladder. Try to stop drinking liquids an hour before bed for a sounder sleep.
Get Outside and Exercise
During the day, there are two things you can do to help you sleep at night: exercise and get outdoors. Both of these are good for your mental health, too, making it a win-win! Make sure you exercise every day, even if it's just going for a brisk walk, and try not to stay inside all day.
Digital Time Out
It's no secret that the white light from your digital devices can cause trouble when you're trying to sleep. Switch off your phone, laptop, TV, and any other devices an hour before bed, and try picking up a book or journaling instead.
Choose a Quality Mattress From Mattressville
If you're struggling with mental health and sleep problems, it's vital you take steps to improve your rest and break out of the vicious cycle. Start by booking an appointment with a professional who can diagnose your issues and tailor their advice to suit you. Then, begin improving your bedroom and adjust your lifestyle.
If you're looking for a mattress for sale near Toronto, we can help. At Mattressville we have a huge range of quality, comfortable mattresses that could be the key to transforming your sleep. Get in touch with us today and we can help you find the right style to suit you.
