How Does Sleep Affect Your Mood?
There is a direct correlation between how much sleep you get and your mood. The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) points out inadequate sleep can result in irritability and stress. Comparatively, healthy sleep can lead to enhanced well-being, enabling you to stay productive and efficient throughout the day.
Dr. Lawrence Epstein, Medical Director of Sleep Health Centers, notes a lack of sleep can cause many psychological and psychiatric problems. Thus, an individual who is unable to get sufficient sleep may be more susceptible than others to various chronic mood disorders, according to Epstein.
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends a sleep range of seven to nine hours for adults between the ages of 18 and 64. Don’t let a lack of sleep get the best of you. Instead, take advantage of the following tips so you can enjoy sufficient sleep and improve your mood:
1. Develop a Bedtime Ritual
An effective bedtime ritual will enable you to prepare for bed and boost your chances of getting the sleep you need night after night. This ritual should begin at least an hour before bedtime and will make it simple for you to wind down at the end of the day.
Typically, a bedtime ritual may include reading a book, dimming the bedroom lights and shifting your alarm clock away from your face. With a bedtime ritual in place, you’ll be better equipped to focus on sleeping comfortably and can wake up feeling refreshed.
2. Exercise Daily
The NSF reports daily exercise has been shown to reduce the time it takes a person to fall asleep and increase the length of sleep for those who suffer from chronic insomnia.
Also, the NSF points out exercise frequently helps reduce anxiety and depressions symptoms that otherwise can make it tough to sleep. This indicates that if you exercise for even a few minutes each day, you may be able to enjoy improved sleep quality.
3. Choose a Comfortable Mattress
A recent NSF study showed that the majority of respondents said a comfortable mattress plays a key role in a good night’s sleep. Thus, picking up a mattress that matches your body type, health and sleep preferences is essential.
Choosing the right mattress may seem like an uphill climb, but sleep experts are available to assist you. In fact, Sit ‘n Sleep employs professionally trained sleep consultants to help you discover your dream mattress quickly.
Use the aforementioned tips, and you should have no trouble getting ample sleep and bolstering your mood.
