Why Sleep Is So Important To Your Mental Health

Most people recognize the basic need for sleep when it comes to their physical well-being. It gives the body time to repair itself, provides immune system support, and so much more.

Even if you go just one night without getting enough sleep, you are likely to feel some physical repercussions the next day.

However, sleep is just as important to your mental health. While you might not notice any major changes after a night or two of poor sleep, the lasting mental effects can be harmful and create bigger issues for your overall well-being.

So, why is sleep so important to your mental health, and what can you do to get a good night’s rest?

Emotional Processing

Sleep gives your mind a chance to regulate and process your emotions. This is mostly done during the REM stage of sleep. Your mind regulates how to deal with stress and challenges, making it easier to get through the day without feeling overwhelmed by every little thing that happens.

If you stop sleeping well, this process becomes disrupted. You are likely to become more irritable, have a harder time working through things, and your stress levels can start to feel overwhelming.

Stress Management

Speaking of overwhelming feelings, sleep helps the body regulate stress. As a result, you are less likely to overreact when things start to feel too stressful. With a healthy amount of sleep, you will react appropriately to daily stressors while being able to maintain a positive or neutral outlook.

When you do not get enough sleep, negativity can start to take over. Even small stressors can feel overwhelming, and you are likely to look at them through a negative lens, rather than trying to come up with a positive solution.

Memory Issues

Sleep helps your body repair itself throughout the night, but it also has a consolidation process in the mind that is necessary for memory and learning. Picture a room with a bunch of filing cabinets, and someone working overtime to file everything away properly.

That is essentially what happens when you sleep. The brain transfers short-term memories into long-term storage, making it easier for you to retain the things you learn each day. Without a healthy amount of sleep, you are likely to become more forgetful, have a harder time learning things, and struggle with concentration.

As you might expect, dealing with cognitive issues can impact nearly every area of your life, especially if you are in school or have a job. You might have a more difficult time paying attention, problem-solving, or even remembering basic instructions.

Mental Health Risks

Dealing with chronic sleep problems can increase your risk of developing more serious mental health conditions. That includes depression and anxiety.

If you are already dealing with mental health issues, a lack of sleep can exacerbate your symptoms, creating a sort of vicious cycle that is hard to escape.

When you have anxiety, for example, it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, the less sleep you get, the more anxious you are likely to feel.

What Can You Do?

Establishing a healthy sleep routine is a great place to start if you struggle with falling or staying asleep. Try to go to bed around the same time each night. Avoid electronics for at least an hour before going to sleep. Set up your ideal sleeping environment in your bedroom. These small changes can make a big difference.

If, after doing these things, you are still struggling, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. There could be underlying mental health issues keeping you from getting the sleep your mind needs. Don’t wait until you’re physically and emotionally exhausted to get help. Contact me today to learn more about anxiety therapy and set up an appointment.

About the Author

Cory Reid-Vanas, LMFT, is a Colorado licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder/owner of Rocky Mountain Counseling Collective. He provides therapy to clients of all ages, from children age 5 and up through adults, as well as couples and families. Cory assists his clients with a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, stress management, autism, life transitions, and parenting and relationship issues. He utilizes play therapy when working with youth. He offers counseling sessions in person in his Denver office and also online.