The Importance of Sleep
Stress and overthinking can seriously disrupt sleep. Tossing and turning and having the occasional restless night is not uncommon, but when it becomes a regular occurrence, it can really affect day-to-day life. Tiredness can blight working and private life. Making plans seems exhausting and concentrating becomes impossible.
Having trouble sleeping can worsen symptoms of existing mental health issues. It is recommended that the average adult should have at least 7 hours sleep, if not 9! However, the average amount that most people have is between 6 and 7 hours, revealing a national level of sleep deprivation. In the UK, over a third of adults struggle to fall asleep at least once a week while 12% say they suffer from insomnia nightly. Why is this so common?
Through a combination of environmental and behavioural factors, our brain becomes overrun at nighttime. Common causes include financial or work-related stress, physical discomfort or bad habits. For many women, these factors can also be hormonal. A woman’s hormones not only fluctuate monthly but yearly; with considerations around pregnancy, contraception, and the menopause, the female body can come under a lot of physical stress. A good night’s sleep can be the first step to improving this.
Sleep deprivation is not the only issue, of course. Being too tired and struggling to get out of bed is a common and debilitating symptom of depression, anxiety, and many other mental health issues. The body and mind are linked in ways that can be a blessing and a curse. When the mind is struggling to motivate itself, this can leak into the body and become or seem overwhelming. Oversleeping can limit mental clarity, cause brain fog, and lead to missing out on day-to-day activities.
Solutions
Creating a nighttime routine positively impacts sleep patterns. A routine that makes bedtime a scheduled habit can significantly improve the quality of sleep. This routine could be as simple as limiting screentime an hour before sleep and doing some breathing exercises before bed.
Breathing and meditation can help promote mindfulness and slow down those nocturnal naggings that keep brains active. Learning to control stress can be really challenging, but with help, overwhelming thoughts can be slowed down in order to obtain those flawless 9 hours of sleep.
If tiredness or insomnia is due to physical and hormonal discomfort: medication or CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) may offer a solution. The first step to combating a lack of sleep is identifying what may be the cause. If it’s a physical condition, talking to a GP can lead to better medical help and behavioural support.