The Wellocrat

Have you noticed that whenever you do not sleep well, you tend to feel a slight headache or you appear unbothered and get tired often and on?

Without adequate sleep, our mental health can suffer, leading to a variety of problems, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. People and even some bosses at work often complain of the inactivity of an individual over time and their tendency to forget things easily. Therefore, poor sleep can have a very bad impact on your mental wellbeing.

What about when you sleep well enough?

After getting good sleep, our brain processes and stores information from the day before. This allows us to better remember and learn new information. Overall, getting enough sleep allows our bodies to function optimally, both mentally and physically.

First of all, let’s look at sleep.

Sleep, sometimes called rest, has been known to calm and work hand in hand with the brain by helping the brain function normally and also helping your body function well and stay active.

Doctors and scientists all over the world have recommended at least 8 hours of sleep a day, so good sleep is important for maintaining good mental health. 

Sleep is when our bodies and minds recharge, repair, and consolidate memories. Without enough sleep, our mental health can suffer, leading to issues like depression, anxiety, and poor concentration. Conversely, good sleep habits can boost our mental health, leading to improved mood, memory, and focus. So, getting good sleep is essential for keeping our minds healthy and functioning.

Which brings us to the benefits of more sleep and the disadvantages of less sleep for your mental health.

Here are 5 benefits of more sleep for your mental health

1. Bright mood

Oftentimes, when people are asked why they are in a sad or bad mood, they usually reply, “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” This statement indicates that their bad mood could probably be a result of not getting enough rest. 

Sleeping better helps the brain rest enough and prepare your body for the day, thereby encouraging waking up on the good side of the bed.

Quality sleep is important for emotional regulation. Sufficient rest helps maintain a balanced mood and reduces the chances of mood swings, irritability, and emotional volatility. More sleep can boost serotonin levels, the “happy hormone,”  which helps to regulate mood and improve feelings of happiness. It contributes to a more positive emotional state, promoting overall mental well-being.

2. Good memory

Studies have shown that individuals who rest more have a better and sharper memory. They don’t forget things often; they are always able to process and understand things better and faster than others. Sleep is essential for memory consolidation, the process by which short-term memories are transformed into long-term memories. Without enough sleep, this process is disrupted, leading to reduced memory recall and learning difficulties. 

On the other hand, more sleep can help to strengthen and reinforce memories, leading to improved recall and better performance in school or work. That means good sleep does not just improve your ability to remember important things; it also means you are less likely to do silly things (like forget to lock the front door) in the morning.

3. Increased activeness

After a long and stressful day at the office or school, it is expected that enough sleep is needed by such an individual to avoid being sluggish, absent-minded, dull, and dozing at work or any activity they engage in. That is why it is always advised to keep office work in the office so enough time can be spent resting in order to start the day fresh and ready.

More sleep can contribute to improved cognitive flexibility and the ability to approach challenges with a fresh perspective. On a similar note, getting enough sleep can improve academic performance in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Finally, good sleep has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and enhance memory performance in both children and adults.

4. Weight loss and maintenance 

Numerous studies have associated insufficient sleep with a greater risk of weight gain and a higher body mass index (BMI). In fact, a 2020 analysis found that adults who slept fewer than 7 hours per night had a huge 41% increased risk of developing obesity. Meanwhile, sleeping longer didn’t increase the risk of weight gain.

To make matters worse, feeling tired after a night of too little sleep may leave you feeling unmotivated to hit the gym, go for a walk, or do whichever other physical activity you enjoy. So, prioritizing sleep may support a healthy body weight.

When you’re well rested, you’re less hungry. Being sleep-deprived messes with the hormones in your brain that control appetite. The time you spend in bed goes hand-in-hand with the time you spend at the table and at the gym to help you manage your weight.

 5. Can maximize athletic performance

Sleep has been shown to enhance athletic performance. What is more, a lack of sleep may increase your risk of injury and lower your motivation to exercise.

So, getting enough sleep may be just what you need to take your performance to the next level. If your sports are endurance sports like running, swimming, and biking, then you are not doing yourself any favors by not sleeping enough.

Besides robbing you of energy and time for muscle repair, a lack of sleep saps your motivation, which is what gets you to the finish line. You will face a harder mental and physical challenge and see slower reaction times. Proper rest sets you up for your best performance.

Here are 5 disadvantages of less sleep for mental health

You may take this as the opposite of the benefits, but let us show some disadvantages:

1. Stress

Results have shown that a lack of rest or less sleep regularly leads to stress. The human body is sometimes likened to a computer system; when the memory of a system is overused, it most likely will shut down or lead to damage, just as the human brain, if overworked and not given time to rest, might cause severe damage to the body, in this case stress. Such an individual or person is always tired.

Insufficient sleep triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels over an extended period can lead to heightened stress, impacting both mental and physical well-being with physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and digestive problems. 

2. Changes in behavior

Sometimes called mood swings, they are often observed in people who sleep less; they change their mood and behavior in a matter of seconds. Less sleep is often associated with heightened irritability and mood swings. Individuals may become easily frustrated, short-tempered, and less tolerant of stressors, impacting their relationships and overall social interactions.

They behave abnormally and usually do things they wouldn’t do on a regular basis. This can range from reckless decision-making to engaging in activities with potential negative consequences, as the brain’s ability to assess risks may be compromised.

3. Sickness

Mental illness might likely occur if less sleep continues for a long time. Most times, insomnia and even depression have been linked to insufficient sleep and a lack of rest in an individual.

One of the most common physical effects of insufficient rest is a weakened immune system. This can lead to an increased risk of getting sick, including colds, flu, and other infections. It can also lead to chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. 

On top of that, sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, which can lead to further mental and physical health issues.

Adequate sleep is crucial for the body’s recovery and repair processes. Without enough rest, the body may struggle to recover from daily stressors (any agent that causes stress to an organism), both physical and mental. This delayed or disrupted recovery can contribute to a cycle of chronic health issues that may affect mental health over time.

4. Weakened intellectual function

When lack of sleep has gotten so high, it can lead to difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making. The brain relies on sufficient sleep to consolidate and process information, and insufficient sleep can weaken intellectual functions, affecting overall mental clarity and performance. Individuals who don’t sleep enough may struggle with finding innovative solutions to challenges, and their ability to think critically and make informed decisions can be compromised.

 5. High Sensitivity to Pain

Sleep deprivation can lower the pain threshold and increase sensitivity to physical discomfort. This heightened sensitivity to pain can contribute to a cycle of physical discomfort impacting mental health through decreased quality of life and disrupted sleep.

Lack of sleep is associated with an increased risk of developing or intensifying chronic pain conditions. Conditions such as headaches, migraines, and musculoskeletal pain can become more pronounced, contributing to a cycle of discomfort that negatively impacts mental well-being.

 In conclusion

Sleep has proven to be a very vital aspect of human existence, even when ignored most of the time, because we all want to make ends meet and survive. It is important that this side of our very existence not be pushed to a corner. Your family and loved ones need you alive and healthy; do not forget to visit a doctor if you have difficulty sleeping.

Help yourself! Help your loved ones! Help your brain!

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