We all know how important sleep is for our physical health, so it should come as no surprise that sleep is just as important to our emotional well-being. There are many research studies and books written about the importance of sleep and why we need it since it's such a crucial aspect of overall health. They often discuss the importance of getting enough sleep, sleeping well, and recovering from sleep deprivation. Being aware of how sleeping can affect your emotional wellbeing is crucial to maintaining your happiness and health.
1. Quality Vs Quantity
When it comes to sleep, many people only think about the quantity of sleep they get. This aspect is important, but it's also crucial to consider your quality of sleep when thinking about emotional wellbeing. It doesn't matter if you get 10 hours or 8 hours a night if your quality of sleep isn't up to par. Quality sleep can be defined by how satisfied you feel after each sleep cycle, and it can be impacted by multiple factors like stress, anxiety, caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, room temperature, noise levels, and even what kind of bed you sleep on.While having trouble sleeping because your body hurts due to a bad mattress is a physical cause - it can also affect your emotional wellbeing. If you're experiencing any issues with sleep quality, try doing what you can to make your surroundings more sleep inductive. Try setting the room temperature to a little cooler before bedtime. The creators of the zero gravity bed have noticed that a lot of people lack the pressure relief that a good bed should provide. So if sleeping in your bed causes you pain, just think about it - consider investing in a new mattress since that might be what's causing your issue.
A lumpy mattress can cause you to toss and turn all night, leaving you fatigued the next day, which will affect your mood or mental clarity.
2. Sleep & Stress
Stress is a major factor that has an impact on your emotional health and wellbeing. We all usually feel exhausted after a stressful day and just want to go home and sleep. It's important to be mindful of your sleeping habits because a lack of sleep can be what's causing you to feel stress. This doesn't just happen because we're physically tired, though - it happens because both our body and our mind need that sleep. Stress affects the chemical balance of the brain, causing people to become more anxious or depressed. One way we can combat stress is with exercise, as well as making time for at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.It works both ways, though. In fact, it's not uncommon for people to habitually watch TV or play video games at night - which is great in moderation. However, staying up late every night can lead to you not getting enough sleep, which can then lead to increased stress.
3. Melatonin & Impulsivity
We all know how important melatonin is when it comes to sleeping, but did you ever stop to think about its importance on your emotional wellbeing too? Melatonin is a naturally occurring chemical in our brain that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. When we produce less of this chemical while we're awake, it can contribute to conditions like depression and anxiety, unfortunately.Melatonin also has an effect on impulsivity. This is the main reason why people are told not to drive at night after being awake for a long period of time - their impulsivity levels might actually be higher than when they're tired and sleep-deprived. However, being impulsive doesn't just affect the outside world - it can make you feel more anxious or irritable in general too.
If you struggle with impulsivity, consider how it might be affecting your emotional wellbeing. Being aware of the problem is the best way to start fixing it.
4. Emotional Stability
There are days or even longer periods where you may feel down, and nothing really helps. While sleep is still important in those times, it's even more important to keep an eye on your emotional balance. If you have a lot of dark dreams or nightmares, consider keeping a dream journal so that you can understand what might be affecting your conscious self. On the other hand, while not a cure-all, sleep can give you the foundation to feel stable. It's similar to preparing yourself to run a marathon.If you never exercise, and try and run a marathon, chances are you'll collapse before the finish line. If you work out on a regular basis though, then that can go a long way in making sure your body is prepared for stressful situations. It's the same with getting enough sleep. While it can't really guarantee that you'll enjoy every minute of every day, it gives you a good basis for your emotional wellbeing.
It's an important part of self-care, and one of the most overlooked aspects in this day and age. Listen to your body and your mind, and make sure you're getting enough sleep so that your overall life quality is at its best.
5. Memory
Sleep plays an important role in your memory too. Just like our physical health, it's also important to make sure we're taking care of our emotional health as well because both go hand-in-hand. When you're stressed, it can be much harder to remember things, and we sometimes forget information we're trying so hard to retain.Not getting enough sleep can also affect your memory as well as change how you think about certain situations. As mentioned already, it can even exacerbate stress because it makes it harder for us to understand the reality of the situation. Apart from potentially causing feelings of confusion, lack of sleep can also affect your relationship with other people, which can then circle around to your emotions. On the other hand, getting plenty of rest can provide you with the energy levels you need in order to really invest in your relationships with other people as well as yourself.
Sleeping well can give you a better perspective on the reality of your life as well as make it easier for you to handle stress, which can work wonders for both your emotional and physical wellbeing. It's one of the single most important things you can do to start your days right and end them on the highest note possible. The emotional benefits of getting enough sleep are extensive, and they can't be overstated.