DO you often work longer in the night? DO you spend a lot of time partying with friends into the early hours? Or do you have young children who Often keep you awake at night?

With work, family and other life commitments, many Of us just don’t get the recommended seven or eight hours of sleep. Having another coffee to get us through the day can sometimes become the norm.

It can be easy to dismiss sleep as not being important in maintaining a mentally healthy lifestyle but are we missing a trick? HOW important is a good night’s sleep to how we function mentally?

Why is sleep so important for our mental health?

There is clear evidence that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on emotion and performance. The results of one study (Yoo, Gujjar et al (2007) show a deficit in the ability to form new human memories without sleep. Nature Neuroscience, IO(S), 385-392) indicates that a night of restful sleep may reset the brain reactivity in order to prepare for emotional challenges the next day. Sleep has an important restorative function in recharging the brain at the end Of each day, just like we need to charge a mobile phone battery after prolonged use. Maintaining a regular sleep-wake cycle allows the natural rhythm of the body to be reset every day and therefore optimises brain functioning. Ongoing poor sleep can be a huge risk factor for the development of major depressive disorder. The risk of feeling depressed and/or anxious (as well as worsening existing anxiety and depression) increases with the severity Of insomnia, and so it is important to recognize and sort out sleep problems as soon as they are identified.

The effects of sleep deprivation

Lack of sleep can contribute to physical and psychological illnesses.

Psychological symptoms and effects include:
– Low mood
– Anxiety
– Irritability
– Erratic behavior
– Poor cognitive functioning and performance (e.g. forgetfulness, making mistakes and slower thinking than normal)
– Psychotic episodes

Physical symptoms and effects include:
1) Physical symptoms of anxiety
2) Tiredness
3) Elevation in blood pressure and stress hormones
4) Negative effects on cardiovascular health (increased risk Of strokes and heart attacks)
5) Immune damage which can lead to many physical problems

Seven Steps to improve your sleeping habits for better mental health

1. Establish a regular sleep-wake cycle – try to sleep and wake at regular times consistently.

2. Try to ensure that you have a comfortable bed and bedroom – noise, light and temperature should be tailored to your preferences if possible.
3. Limit the use of stimulants – such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol near bed time.
4. Avoid drinking excessive liquids – especially in the evening to minimise chances Of waking to empty your bladder.
5. Avoid going to bed until you are drowsy and actually ready to sleep.
6. Regular daily exercise – but not too late in the evening as this could be stimulating.
7. Avoid electronic devices late at night – such as computers, mobiles, tablets and so on; the bright light can be overly stimulating and keep you awake.