How Irregular Sleep Cycle Affects Mental Health: Causes, Effects & Practical Solutions
Did you ever notice how a single night of restless sleep makes you feel cranky the next day? Now, imagine what happens when this becomes your regular routine.. Going to bed late will not only make you feel tired all the time, but it also disrupts your natural sleep cycle. Irregular sleeping routines will start to affect your mental health sooner or later; that is why you need to understand the importance of a good night’s sleep. By just not going to bed early , you are inviting so many mental health issues like mood changes, forgetfulness, or even increasing your chances of getting mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Why Sleep Matters for Mental Health Sleep plays a vital role in your mental health. While you sleep, your brain organises memories and clears out toxins that build up during the day. When you sleep on time regularly and wake up after an 8-hour of uninterrupted sleep, you feel more focused and calm throughout the day. When you neglect your sleep cycle, your mental health starts to take a hit. Irregular sleep cycles can lead to many issues like stress, poor concentration, mood swings and low energy. Adults typically require 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. How Does Irregular Sleep Cycle Affect Mental Health? An irregular sleep cycle means you are not sleeping and waking up at the same time every day. The irregular sleeping pattern can affect your body’s natural “clock,” which is known as the circadian rhythm. When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your body starts to lose control over the sleeping cycle. Your body also starts to lose balance over the important hormones like melatonin which helps you fall asleep and your cortisol (your stress hormone) also starts getting, which could affect your mood, focus and stress levels. Key Effects of Irregular Sleep on Mental Health: Mood swings – When you don’t sleep on time, you feel more irritated or anxious all the time. Even the small things can bug you easily. Poor Focus and Memory – When your body doesn’t get proper rest, you feel lethargic and find it difficult to focus on things and remember things. More stress – People who don’t get enough sleep end up getting more stressful, which leads to feeling restless and tense all day long. Emotional Ups and Downs – When you don’t get enough sleep, it becomes harder to manage emotions, which will ultimately affect your relationships and daily life. Greater Risk of Disorders – When you struggle with irregular sleep for a long time, you will start to see the effects of irregular sleep on mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Common Mental Health Problems Linked to Poor Sleep Impacts of poor sleep can cause many mental health problems. Some of the most common mental health problems are: Depression –Better sleep means a well-rested body with a better mood. One of the effects of lack of sleep on mental health is feeling low and depressed throughout the day due to lack of rest. Anxiety – When you are not sleeping well, it keeps your body in an alert mode, which can make you feel restless and anxious all the time. One of the benefits of good sleep on mental health is you can say goodbye to these problems. Substance Abuse – There are so many people who turn to sleeping pills or alcohol when they try to reset their sleeping schedule, which leads to substance abuse. Bipolar Disorder – Sleep plays a major role in mood swings. If you are not getting enough sleep, it can trigger episodes of manic and depression. ADHD – When you don’t get enough sleep, your concentration is compromised, and it also leads to other issues like poor control over your impulses. Some people with ADHD start facing worse symptoms due to poor sleep patterns. Why Are Sleep Problems So Common? There are so many people out there who struggle with sleep problems. It has become so common among people that one-third of the population is struggling with sleep problems. Here are some main reasons: Stress – The impact of stress on sleep is huge . There are so many people who can’t sleep at night due to racing thoughts. Environment – One of the main reasons that you are not having a hard time falling asleep could be environmental factors affecting your sleep, like uncomfortable bedding, bright lighting or noise. Lifestyle choices – There are so many things you should avoid if you don’t want to struggle with sleep anymore. People who drink caffeine late at night or don’t exercise regularly struggle with irregular sleep problems. Work and study pressure – People with graveyard shifts and overtime disrupt their natural sleep cycle. Students who study late at night also face similar issues. Using a screen for long hours – With unlimited internet and different types of gadgets like smartphones, laptops and TV, people like to spend hours of their time in front of these gadgets which is one of the main reasons behind insomnia. These gadgets release blue light which reduces melatonin in your body and makes it hard for you to fall asleep. How to Improve Sleep and Support Mental Health So many people think that they can’t improve their sleeping patterns, but the good news is that you can do it by simply making some lifestyle changes. People have started to forget the benefits of getting a good sleep on mental health, which is why here are some tips to get you back on track: 1. Stick to your sleep schedule Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday, even on weekends. It will help your body to reset your circadian rhythm. 2. Choose a relaxing routine Do calming activities before going to bed like, reading, journaling, or listening to soft music. These activities will signal your brain that it is time to sleep. 3. Limit your screen time Don’t use