Your mental health can be seriously impacted by the amount of sleep
you are getting every night. It's not something that we often consider
in our very busy lives, I know that I don't. I get to the business of my life
and when I look up - it's 3 hours past my originally planned bedtime.
Sound familiar?
Better Sleep Month
According to Stephanie Holbrook, from the Better Sleep Council in Washington D.C.,
Americans seem to be willing to do almost anything to cope with
sleep-deprivation and emotional stress, but when push comes to shove, they
are turning to quick fixes in lieu of obvious solutions. According to the
findings of the 2006 Better Sleep Month survey, Americans are ignoring the
fundamental steps to improve quality sleep and mood.
It is well-known that sleep problems can be a key sign of depression. What
people may not realize is that the reverse is also true sleep disorders
can actually trigger mood disorders and depression. As researchers learn
more about the underlying cyclical connection between sleep and our mental
health, the important balance is becoming even more apparent.
According to the 2006 Better Sleep Month survey, better sleep did result
in better mood among respondents. When asked to rate their sleep quality,
quantity, and overall mood over the course of one week, people who
obtained seven or more hours per night were more likely to rate their
general mood as excellent (57 percent), as opposed to those receiving an
average of six hours of sleep or less (45 percent). Only 25 percent of
respondents rated the quality and quantity of their sleep as excellent.
That means that 75 percent need to take action to improve their sleep.
If experiencing trouble sleeping over a period of time, Americans report
that they are most likely to change their sleeping schedule (51 percent)
and build in time for more sleep (56 percent) to improve their sleep.
However, this may not be a viable first-step solution, according to many
experts.
More sleep doesn't necessarily mean better, especially if underlying
factors that contribute to poor sleep, such as an inadequate sleep
environment or sleep-depriving behaviors, are not properly addressed. It
may just mean that you end up tossing and turning in your bed for a longer
time.
The survey results show that people overlook some of the most obvious
components of quality sleep, said Nancy Shark, executive director of the
Better Sleep Council. Take for example the reluctance, even if needed, to
replace an old mattress (66 percent say they are not likely). The mattress
is literally the foundation of our sleep. Comfort and support aside, we
spend an average of four entire months every year entirely on our bed.
Given that kind of usage, your sleep surface cannot be an afterthought.?
Accordingly, additional consumer data from 2005 indicates that nearly half
of Americans (47 percent) keep mattresses longer than many experts
recommend. As a rule of thumb, after five-to seven years of use, it's a
good time to evaluate your sleep set, adds Shark. You can get used to a
bed long after it stops providing you with the optimal comfort and support
you need.
If you want to learn more about sleep deprivation and how it could be impacting
your mental health, please visit the Better Sleep Council at:
http://www.bettersleep.org/
Lisa Angelettie, "GirlShrink" is an online advice authority. Her site GirlShrink.com is the #1 "Advice & Counseling" site on the web. Instantly get a FREE Bonus when you sign up for her free Better Choices Ezine. Please visit us for more discussion on this topic in the mental health forum to talk about it further. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for topics in the news, new articles, website & book reviews, and other useful mental health resources. Subscribe below.
