The Importance of Sleep
Perhaps you have seen the research that concludes driving tired is as bad as driving while drunk.
But there is a growing body of research that points to the ways that sleep problems also have an effect on your mental health. Studies have shown that lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can increase the risk of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. In fact, research has found that people with insomnia are 10 times more likely to develop depression and 17 times more likely to develop anxiety than those without sleep problems.
The Sleep Connection
It makes sense that if you are depressed or anxious, that it would cause you to not get very good sleep; however the connection goes the other way as well. When you don’t get good sleep, it makes it harder to have the focus, motivation, and will power to do the things the next day that might help you manage your symptoms. This can create a vicious cycle where poor sleep leads to worsening symptoms, which in turn lead to poorer sleep quality.
Solutions
There are a number of ways to improve sleep. The simplest start with what we call “sleep hygiene” which means planning your evening to prepare for sleep using the following habits;
- avoid strenuous exercise 2 hours before bed time
- have a set bed time and wake time, create a routine that rarely changes much
- avoid screens before bed time
- avoid caffeine after lunch time
- sleep in a cool, dark, quiet room
More tips can be found here. https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/
Hypnosis for Sleep
Clinical hypnosis is also a great tool for helping people get to sleep. Through the use of guided imagery and relaxation techniques, a hypnotherapist can help individuals who struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders.
Medication
In more severe cases, medication might be a short term fix to help get better sleep habits established. I always encourage clients to be careful with this route. While medication can be helpful in certain situations, it is important to remember that it is not a long-term solution.
The Big Picture
So, whichever tools work best to help you sleep, don’t overlook the importance of sleep. Insomnia is not just a symptom, it’s also part of what causes many of our problems to persist. If you find yourself struggling with sleep on a regular basis, it may be worth seeking out professional help.