How Better Sleep Can Lead to Better Mental Health - Cheryl C.
You know that taking care of your mental health is important. However, what you may not know is that one of the simplest solutions for better mental health is something you should be doing every single night: getting restful sleep. Improving your quality of sleep can vastly improve the way you think and feel. So, use these simple tricks to get more of the sleep you need.
Buying a New Mattress Can Boost Your Brain
If you want to make a solid investment in your mental health, you should think about investing in a new mattress. When an old mattress is messing with your sleep, you are more likely to react poorly to emotional situations, and you may even find symptoms of depression and anxiety getting worse. To keep your brain sharp and your emotions in check, try shopping for a mattress that will allow you to get the seven to eight hours of rest your mind needs every night. Do some research online, and use mattress buying guides to find reviews of the best mattresses on the market. Even if you experience back pain, are a hot sleeper, or sleep in various positions, you should be able to find a mattress that benefits your sleep and therefore your mental health.
Getting More Sleep Can Lead to Less Stress
Two factors that can influence your health the most are sleep and stress. So, it comes as no surprise that sleep and stress are closely connected. When you are not getting enough sleep, feelings of stress will become more intense and have more of an impact on your body and your mind. Studies show that chronic stress can lead to more problems with anxiety and depression. Stress can even make mood disorders and other mental health issues worse. However, sleep can impact mental health as well, so to reduce potential stress and mental health issues, start by improving your sleep routine. Try some nighttime calming techniques, such as purposed breathing, positive thinking, or a warm bath, to help you drift off to sleep.
Reducing Chronic Pain Creates More Happiness
If you are suffering from chronic pain, you are dealing with so much more than the physical effects. Chronic pain is linked with isolation and depression, and sleep deprivation can make both depression and pain worse. If you are sleeping on an old mattress, pain in your muscles and joints may be more severe and getting rest can be impossible. Even with a new mattress, poor sleep hygiene can heighten pain and health problems. To protect yourself from more pain, and subsequent mental health issues, try creating a sleep sanctuary in your bedroom. Keep things dark, cool, and quiet. If you do need a little noise, try a fan or sound machine instead of keeping a television or laptop in your bedroom. If your chronic pain is keeping you from getting rest, think about talking to your doctor about medications that can help.
Habits That Support Sleep Support Mental Health Too
This may surprise, you but your daytime routines can have just as much impact on your sleep as what you do at night. Exercise, diet, and self-care all play a crucial role in preparing your body for rest at night and maintaining optimal mental health. When you work out, your brain is better able to produce endorphins that help keep your body calm and your mind happy throughout the day. Some research suggests that morning exercise can even make you sleep better and improve how you feel during the day too. Food is also a big factor in your sleep and health. Consuming a diet of processed, sugary foods will leave you sluggish and can even lead to health problems that are more severe than drugs or alcohol. So, make sure you get enough exercise each day, maintain a healthy diet, and take some time to relax and practice self-care.
Taking care of your mental health doesn’t require a lot of effort. With a few basic steps, you can improve the way you sleep and improve your mental health in the process. So, take control of your happiness by taking control of your sleep habits.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Buying a New Mattress Can Boost Your Brain
If you want to make a solid investment in your mental health, you should think about investing in a new mattress. When an old mattress is messing with your sleep, you are more likely to react poorly to emotional situations, and you may even find symptoms of depression and anxiety getting worse. To keep your brain sharp and your emotions in check, try shopping for a mattress that will allow you to get the seven to eight hours of rest your mind needs every night. Do some research online, and use mattress buying guides to find reviews of the best mattresses on the market. Even if you experience back pain, are a hot sleeper, or sleep in various positions, you should be able to find a mattress that benefits your sleep and therefore your mental health.
Getting More Sleep Can Lead to Less Stress
Two factors that can influence your health the most are sleep and stress. So, it comes as no surprise that sleep and stress are closely connected. When you are not getting enough sleep, feelings of stress will become more intense and have more of an impact on your body and your mind. Studies show that chronic stress can lead to more problems with anxiety and depression. Stress can even make mood disorders and other mental health issues worse. However, sleep can impact mental health as well, so to reduce potential stress and mental health issues, start by improving your sleep routine. Try some nighttime calming techniques, such as purposed breathing, positive thinking, or a warm bath, to help you drift off to sleep.
Reducing Chronic Pain Creates More Happiness
If you are suffering from chronic pain, you are dealing with so much more than the physical effects. Chronic pain is linked with isolation and depression, and sleep deprivation can make both depression and pain worse. If you are sleeping on an old mattress, pain in your muscles and joints may be more severe and getting rest can be impossible. Even with a new mattress, poor sleep hygiene can heighten pain and health problems. To protect yourself from more pain, and subsequent mental health issues, try creating a sleep sanctuary in your bedroom. Keep things dark, cool, and quiet. If you do need a little noise, try a fan or sound machine instead of keeping a television or laptop in your bedroom. If your chronic pain is keeping you from getting rest, think about talking to your doctor about medications that can help.
Habits That Support Sleep Support Mental Health Too
This may surprise, you but your daytime routines can have just as much impact on your sleep as what you do at night. Exercise, diet, and self-care all play a crucial role in preparing your body for rest at night and maintaining optimal mental health. When you work out, your brain is better able to produce endorphins that help keep your body calm and your mind happy throughout the day. Some research suggests that morning exercise can even make you sleep better and improve how you feel during the day too. Food is also a big factor in your sleep and health. Consuming a diet of processed, sugary foods will leave you sluggish and can even lead to health problems that are more severe than drugs or alcohol. So, make sure you get enough exercise each day, maintain a healthy diet, and take some time to relax and practice self-care.
Taking care of your mental health doesn’t require a lot of effort. With a few basic steps, you can improve the way you sleep and improve your mental health in the process. So, take control of your happiness by taking control of your sleep habits.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
