Worth Living Ambassador Felicia Singh
Hello, my name is Felicia. I am a 25 year old healthcare professional and counseling / psychology student with anxiety. As well as someone with an unexplainable yearning to understand mental health disorders. The who, what, where, when, and whys of it all.
Let’s Talk about Sleep
I’ve been studying the different stages of sleep this past week in one of my Psychology classes. I
did know that sleep was important to our bodies, but I did not realize how important sleep is to
our brains and our overall mental health. Lack of sleep takes a major toll on our cognitive, as
well as other parts of the brain. Sleep deprivation can cause the hippocampus to not work
properly, which is the region of the brain that is critical for storing new memories.
Studies show that a lack of sleep can alter your mood significantly, making you irritable and more easily
angered than usual. In fact chronic sleep deprivation puts you at greater risk for mental health
illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
Here are a few tips to help you make sure you are getting an adequate amount of sleep.
1. Try to make time for regular exercise, but avoid working out an hour before bed if
possible
2. Avoid tea, coffee, or other stimulants during the evening hours
3. Give yourself time to unwind and decompress at the end of a long day
4. Stick to a sleep routine
5. If you must take naps then limit them to 45 min max
6. Make sure your sleeping arrangements are comfortable (pillows, mattress, sheets, etc.)
7. Try natural sleep remedies (oils, herbs, vitamins)
8. Ask your doctor about sleeping medication
However you do it, just make sure you’re doing it. Remember that our brains are the control centers for our bodies. Sleep is a vital part to maintaining good mental health