Sleep and Mental Health

Here at Sacred Art Integrative Psychiatry, I focus on improving your sleep as a number one priority. Research has shown that 20% of people get 5 hours or less per night; 53% get 6-7 hours ; 26% get 8 hours or more. Sleep is vital for mental health, and poor sleep can increase the risk of mental health issues: 

• Brain function

  Sleep helps the brain form new pathways for learning and memory, and it improves problem-solving skills. 

• Mood

  Sleep helps regulate mood, and sleep deficiency can lead to irritability, mood swings, and depression. 

• Decision-making

  Sleep helps with decision-making and creativity, and sleep deficiency can make it difficult to make decisions. 

• Mental distress

  A study found that people who averaged 6 hours or less of sleep per night were 2.5 times more likely to experience frequent mental distress. 

• Anxiety

  Sleep problems are often associated with anxiety disorders, and poor sleep can activate anxiety in people who are at high risk.

Sleep impacts mental health in a number of biochemical ways, including: 

• Brain activity

  During sleep, the brain's activity fluctuates, allowing different parts of the brain to process information and perform restorative functions. Sleep deprivation can alter the activity of parts of the brain that control emotions and behaviors. 

• Amygdala activation

  The amygdala is an almond-shaped structure in the brain that processes emotions. Sleep deprivation can cause the amygdala to become more reactive to negative images, and to be more connected to the brain's impulsive regions. This can lead to increased negative emotional responses, irritability, and anxiety. 

• Inflammation

  When people don't get enough sleep, inflammation can linger after waking up. Long-term inflammation is linked to health issues like depression and cardiovascular disease. 

• Melatonin

  The pineal gland in the brain produces melatonin, a hormone that helps you fall asleep. Melatonin levels fluctuate over time, which helps the body match its circadian rhythm to the light and dark cycle. 

• Cerebrospinal fluid

  During slow-wave sleep, the brain produces more cerebrospinal fluid, which helps cleanse the brain of debris. This may be especially important for clearing away waste products associated with dementia.

To learn how to improve your sleep, call 414-242-6453 or schedule online today! Improving sleep can improve your mental health very quickly. Most medications take 4-6 weeks to show any type of improvement. This is why I ask you to focus on prioritizing sleep. 7-9 hours of QUALITY sleep is essential for mental health. I look forward to meeting you.