For most people, the days when you're a bit more irritable or slightly more short-tempered, those are the days when you didn't have enough sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep can make all the difference in a person's psychological and emotional health. If you're not getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night, that could be the answer to some of your psychological or even physical issues.
In fact, if you're experiencing high amounts of stress or anxiety in your life, then your body needs even more sleep. On those days when you've got a long to-do list or a large project to complete at work, make sure you're sleeping 8 or even 9 hours at night. For those people who have no trouble sleeping, then making the time to climb into bed 30 or 60 minutes earlier can be the key to minimizing stress, feeling happy, and experiencing confidence throughout your day.
However, there are certainly many men and women who have a hard time sleeping. Research shows that there is a relationship between insomnia and mental illness, particularly depression. One study found that when people were given tips on how to manage their insomnia, they found that their overall psychological health improved. Experts recognize that depression can not only contribute to insomnia but insomnia can also contribute to depression. Furthermore, another study found that adults who were already depressed were four times as likely to lose more sleep.
If you find that you are struggling with insomnia or having trouble sleeping, you might try the following tips:
• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Set your alarm to wake up at the same time every morning.
• Avoid anything stimulating for the few hours before bed, including watching TV.
• Do not lie in bed if you can't sleep.
• Try to create an association between your bedroom and sleeping. To do this, do not do any other activities in your bedroom other than sleeping.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat healthy meals.
Some people believe that they can get away with sleeping 4 to 5 hours each night. However, if you're trying to convince yourself that you only need 5 hours of sleep so that you can get more work done or meet all your responsibilities, then check out your emotional and psychological state. Ask yourself the following questions:
• Are you feeling as good as you could be when you're only getting 5 hours of sleep?
• Are you feeling confident?
• Do you have the ability to manage stressful moments easily?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then perhaps you're one of these people who can get away with little sleep. However, keep in mind that only small percentage of the population can survive on little sleep.
For the most part, we all need at least 6-9 hours of sleep. However, the exact amount will depend upon your own cycle and rhythm. Interestingly, cutting out too much sleep is associated with the same problems as sleeping too long, such as higher risk of heart problems and having shorter life span, according to WebMD.
If you're trying to manage your stress, heal from a physical illness, or recover from a mental illness, then getting your ZZZ's is always a good idea.
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