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Some swear by it, others swear they can get by without it, but there’s no denying that a good night’s sleep has you waking refreshed and ready to tackle the day, whereas not enough sleep leaves you sluggish, irritable, gloomy and at risk for a whole host of medical issues.
YOU REST, YOUR BODY AND YOUR BRAIN GETS TO WORK
Sleep is when the housework begins. While you’re dreaming of that hottie you spotted at the supermarket, your body is busy removing toxins in your brain that have built up over the day.
Any gym bunny well knows that sleep is integral for repairing and rebuilding muscles taxed and torn at the weight rack. It also doesn’t hurt that regular exercise and natural light exposure results in better sleep.
Conversely, not getting enough slumber can lead to weight gain, (yes, you’ll feel hungrier due to lack of sleep, and likely eat more as a result), not to mention the increased risk of developing serious medical conditions, including diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Insufficient sleep over time has even been associated with a shortened lifespan.
Moreover, sleep is a mood-maker. Closely connected to mental and emotional health, there is no question, sleep can enhance wellbeing, while poor or inadequate sleep can alter your mood significantly, causing irritability, anger, and affecting your ability to cope with stress. There’s a reason a bad mood is referred to as getting up on the wrong side of the bed.
WHICH CAME FIRST? DEPRESSION OR SLEEPLESSNESS?
It’s been proven that chronic insomnia may increase the risk of developing a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression and bipolar disorder. But so closely intertwined are the two that scientists aren’t sure which comes first.
Research is ongoing, but there is definitely a bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health. Those suffering from depression may find it difficult to sleep, exacerbating their condition. While those not getting enough sleep may see depression find a foothold. The two are in fact mutually reinforcing.
What is certain, is that improving the quality of your sleep can have a beneficial impact on your mental health.
It is REM sleep particularly, that enables the brain’s processing of emotional information, during which it works to assess and recall thoughts and memories. Not enough sleep, and not enough of the positive emotional content from your day is backed up to your hard drive for future cognitive reference. This can negatively influence mood and emotions down the line, not to mention memory, concentration and particularly your productivity.
Anxiety can also be a result of lack of sleep, or at the very least activate anxiety in those who are at high risk of it. In one study, people suffering severe insomnia were four times more likely to have depression, and twenty times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
TO NAP OR NOT TO NAP, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Post-meal, afternoon-lull, who doesn’t want to take a nap? They jury is out on whether you should be napping during the day. Naps, like a coffee too late in the day, can throw people off their nightly rest.
To that end keep naps relatively short – a 20-minute (max) power nap is perfect – and limit them to the early afternoon so as not disturb your sleep cycle.
Still not sure you’re getting enough sleep? You shouldn’t feel sleepy when you wake up.
Other indicators suggest that sleep-deprived people are less likely to have sex! You heard us correctly, rest up to get your willy up.
So now that you’re sold on sleep, ensure you have a routine before bed that includes finding ways of winding down, dimming the lights and a set bedtime each night that keeps your body clock in tune.
Sleep deep, sleep long, sleep sound.
Having trouble sleeping? GetMosh.com.au offers a Sleep Vitamin supplement designed to help red
Having trouble sleeping?
GetMosh.com.au offers a Sleep Vitamin, traditionally used in Western herbal medicine designed to maintain and support general health and wellbeing including, bone health, the cardiovascular system, heart and muscle health, neuromuscular system function, nerve conduction, prevent dietary deficiency, relieve restlessness and excess nervous energy and relieve disturbed or restless sleep. You can find all the info you need on the Get Mosh website.
