The Connection Between Sleep and Depression
Understanding the relationship between sleep and mental health is useful for managing depression because the two are so involved. depression and sleep are intimately connected, with both conditions playing off of one another in a vicious cycle to make each worse
How Depression Affects Sleep
Depression can change sleep patterns drastically. Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, in contrast with hypersomnia —excessive sleeping. All of this is because some person filed bankruptcy on their mental life to the point that they could not handle being around someone who was obviously dying from it. This makes sleep similarly elusive and less restorative, further complicating the whole mental health picture.
How sleep affects brain Health
Conversely, poor sleep can also affect mental health and is associated with the precipitation or exacerbation of depressive symptomatology. Sleep is critical for health because it related to emotional and cognitive functions. This lack of restorative sleep can make life more challenging and stressful for many which in turn could lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, further contributing to depression.
Finding a Balance
Understanding how sleep and depression are related is important for treatment. There are some methods to make it easier for you.
- Set a Routine for Sleep: Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day as this keeps your internal clock running smoothly allowing you to sleep better(i).
- Make your Room Proper for sleeping: Be sure that noise, light or temperature are not disturbing you.
- One of the great bedtime relaxation techniques that you could do to eliminate stress and help your body relax for a peaceful sleep is mindfulness.
- Within the framework of previous posts on general sleep wellness strategies and differing observations between PTSD populations, one can still find a wide range of approaches among various professionals.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the relation between sleep and depression. Sleep is a crucial part of improving mental health, the two are very much linked. Proactively, these people come forward and manage their mental health journey by prioritizing personal sleep hygiene with the appropriate support. This is the first step to accepting it and in turn get better sleep, support yourself with a more positive mindset.