It’s that time of the semester again – everyone is busy with homework, friends, and extracurricular activities. It seems as if there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all of the tedious things on our plates. Most of the time, when people feel that there are too many tasks for them to complete and not enough time, they choose to cut out sleep. While this seems like a logical decision it can have many adverse effects on your mental health. Our brains do a lot of work while you’re snoozing, some of which can actually benefit your emotions and productivity.
The sole purpose of why we sleep is still an enigma to scientists, however, studies have shown that sleep does significantly improve cognitive functioning as well as emotional and mental health. According to the Sleep Foundation, during sleep, the brain undergoes memory consolidation. These memories can be tied to certain emotions and the organization of that information during a good night’s rest can significantly decrease negative thoughts and emotions.
The recommended amount of sleep for young adults ages 18-25 is 7-9 hours per night. This seems like a lot of sleep however, even just an hour less can make a difference. Another important aspect of sleeping is the quality of sleep you’re getting. Arguably, the most important part of sleep is your sleep habits is having a routine, setting a bedtime and keeping it consistent. Also, avoiding mind-altering substances such as alcohol or caffeine before bed will improve your ability to sleep through the night. Your brain also has an area that releases melatonin (the sleep hormone) when it senses darkness, so if you leave your lights on overnight it can affect the production of this hormone and thus keep you awake.
Mental Health and sleep have a bi-directional relationship, which means that your mental health can also affect how much you sleep. Those with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder can suffer from symptoms such as insomnia. The best way to combat this is to seek Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which is professional talk therapy. There are specified aspects of CBT that specialize in insomnia. Participating in therapy can help because its purpose is to target those negative thoughts and rephrase them in a way that will benefit your mental health and thus your sleep habits.