The more I read about sleep and the consequences of its lack, the more I fear for the present generation and their lifestyle choices. I have tried to garner information and articles which emphasis on the gravity of the issue. The many ways in which sleep-deprivation can destroy the peace of the person, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The physical worries are already elucidated in the previous posts. The following are about the mental and emotional problems that recurring sleep-deprivation can result in. The Columbian university shares many repercussions due to sleep deprivation. The ramifications are many, and as I did for the physical health, I will highlight about the mental health concerns, starting with why sleep is so important to our mental health.
Why is sleep so important to our mental health?
Many of us know that we feel better after “a good night’s sleep” and more grumpy or foggy if sleep deprived. And there is now robust evidence similarly supporting that sleep is critical to not only our physical health but also our mental health. Poor or insufficient sleep has been found to increase negative emotional responses to stressors and to decrease positive emotions.
While more research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the connection between sleep and mental health, we know that sleep is important to a number of brain and body functions engaged in processing daily events and regulating emotions and behaviors. Sleep helps maintain cognitive skills, such as attention, learning, and memory, such that poor sleep can make it much more difficult to cope with even relatively minor stressors and can even impact our ability to perceive the world accurately.
Not getting enough sleep or poor-quality sleep can increase risk for mental health disorders. While insomnia can be a symptom of psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression, it is now recognized that sleep problems can also contribute to the onset and worsening of different mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation.
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