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Mental Health Versus Sleep; The Benefits Of Sleep On Your Mental Health.

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Mental Health Versus Sleep; The Benefits Of Sleep On Your Mental Health

Mental health and sleep are connected in a way that both affects each other. When you get good sleep, you are able to function well, emotionally, socially, and even psychologically, being able to carry out various activities for the day. When you don’t get good and quality sleep, you will find it hard to focus on activities making you feel frustrated, stressed, and burnt out.

 

A woman with mental health issues sitted on a couch with one hand on her chin

People are increasingly getting aware of mental health and the impacts it has on everyday living. Sleep amongst other factors can help you improve your mental health by allowing for adequate blood circulation.

What Is The Connection Between Sleep And Mental Health?

When you have a mental health issue, you will find it difficult to sleep and rest your mind and body. This state of being restless and not getting enough sleep then worsen the mental health issue you are facing.

For instance, you have to pay your rent in two months but you don’t have the money for it. This keeps you worried and anxious (mental health issue). Since you are in this state, it becomes difficult for you to sleep and rest your mind. Not getting adequate sleep can deprive your brain of the right amount of blood circulation it needs to get nourished and function properly.

Do you also know that how you act, think and behave also affects your physical well being? Let’s take depression for example. A depressed person is always sad and has lost interest in most things about life including their health. This can lead to serious health issues like diabetes, stroke, etc. The presence of these health issue then increases the depression issue making them feel more sad and uninterested about life.

The Science Of Sleep: It’s Impact On Brain Function And Emotions.

It was believed before that your brain is dormant when you sleep but researches made has proven that human brain is active during sleep. This is because it recieves much blood flow during this period.

As you sleep, your brain goes through different cycles. In the first part of the cycle called Non REM sleep, made of four stages, your brain’s learning and memory ability is improved upon.

The four stages in the cycle includes;

  • Being awake and slowly falling asleep.
  • Light sleeping where your heart rate and breathing is regulated and body temperature reduces.
  • Deep sleep is encountered in the last two stages. In this stages, you know nothing of what is happening in your external environment.

In the second part of the cycle called REM, your eye movement and brain waves are similar to that of being awake. Your breathing is increased.

Normally, the cycle will repeat for four to five times before you are fully awake. But with each cycle, the deep sleep you experience in stage three and four in the first cycle part reduces.

Being sleep deprieved affects your brain’s function and negatively impacts your emotions. When you get healthy amount of sleep, it improves your brain’s ability to acquire and retain informations. Research has also shown that waste products from the brain cells are removed effectively. Something that isn’t very possible when you are awake.

Your brain being able to receive adequate rest and enough detoxification enhances how you think, act, and behave. Thereby, reducing mental health issues.

Here are some mental health issues that can affect your mood, behavior and thinking.

  • Depression.
  • Anxiety disorders.
  • Eating disorders.
  • Addictive behaviors.

 

Benefits Of Quality Sleep.

Some common things you stand to benefit from getting quality sleep are listed below.

  1. Improved Weight: Getting enough sleep helps the brain function properly and thus helps you control how you eat. Excessive eating can also be a cause of irrational weight gain but eating in the right quantity can help with improved and controlled weight gain.
  2. Improved Productivity: Adequate sleep helps you think clearly, make better decisions, and increases your focus level leading to better performances at work and in life.
  3. Enhanced Mood: Have you noticed how happy you are each morning after getting adequate rest at night? That’s it. Getting enough sleep helps your body relax from the day’s stress.
  4. Improved Learning and Memory: sleep helps to increase blood flow to the brain thereby giving it essential nutrients from the blood and detoxifying the brain of worn out cells.

Practical Tips For Improved Quality Of Sleep.

Experiencing a better state of mental health, you will need to improve the quality of your sleep. Here are easy to understand prayical tips for improving your sleep quality.

  • Turn off your room light an hour before bed time.
  • Dim the light from your gadget as those lights make it harder to fall asleep.
  • Eat your dinner early, at least 2 hrs before bedtime.
  • Avoid taking caffeine or drinks containing caffeine as it was produced in such a way to deprive you of sleep.
  • Limit daytime naps by taking at most an hour of sleep during the day if you must.
  • Learn to manage your worries by jotting down troubling thoughts before bedtime. Learning more on stress management can help you.

 

Conclusion.

Your mental health affects not just your sleep but every area of your life. You are encouraged to prioritize matters of mental health and see a medical practioner if you can’t manage mental health issues on your own.

 

 

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Why You’re Always Drained: 5 Unexpected Explanations for Fatigue

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You sleep 7–8 hours a night. You’re not doing any heavy work. You even take breaks, drink water, and still feel tired all the time.

That kind of tired that no nap can fix. The kind of fatigue that makes everything from replying messages to washing your plate, feel like a big chore.

If that’s you, first of all: you’re not lazy, and you’re not imagining things.

Fatigue can come from some sneaky places. Beyond stress and sleep, there are hidden reasons your body and mind might be waving the white flag. Let’s get into five of them and what you can do.

 

1. Mental Clutter & Decision Fatigue

Your brain wasn’t designed to make a hundred little decisions before 10am. “What to wear?” “What to eat?” “Should I reply that message?” “Do I leave now or wait?” It’s not the physical task that’s exhausting, it’s the mental juggling.

What to do: Simplify your routine. Create small systems,like picking outfits in advance or setting daily meal plans.

2. Unexpressed Emotions

Carrying sadness, anger, guilt, or even fake smiles can be more exhausting than running 10 laps. You may not even notice, but when your emotions don’t have an outlet, they weigh your body down.

What to do: Talk it out, journal it, pray, cry if you need to

3. Low Iron or Vitamin D Level

You could be eating fairly well and still be lacking nutrients that power your energy. Iron helps carry oxygen in your blood. Without it, you feel weak and lightheaded. Vitamin D? That’s your mood and immunity plug.

What to do: Get a blood test to check your levels and Add more leafy greens.

4. Burnout in Disguise

Not all burnout looks like crying at your desk. Sometimes it looks like waking up tired, dragging through the day, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, and constantly “counting down” to the weekend.

What to do: Take regular breaks, even from things you love. Prioritize rest, and say no when necessary,

5. Lack of Purpose or Joy

Tiredness isn’t always physical. Sometimes, you’re drained because life feels flat. Every day looks the same. Nothing excites you. There’s nothing pulling you forward.

What to do: Reconnect with what makes you feel alive, passions, hobbies, meaningful work. Even one joyful thing a week can reignite your spark.

Conclusion

If you’re always tired, your body is speaking. Don’t ignore it or cover it up with motivational quotes. Pay attention to what’s missing, emotionally, mentally, physically and start refueling from the inside out.

You don’t need more pressure. You need more peace.

You deserve that kind of rest.

Read Next Post: Tips and Destinations for the Solo Adventurous

 

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Health

Surprising Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency

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Vitamin D are fat-soluble compounds that have numerous nutritional benefits for you.. When you suffer from vitamin D deficiency, your muscles and bones are adversely affected. Because the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are similar to other ailments, it’s difficult to know. Here are some surprising signs that you lack enough vitamin D.

Fatigue and Tiredness

It’s not uncommon to be tired after a busy day’s work or travel ; however, if it continues after some days, it could be low in vitamin D. You could limit your work and have extended rest to reduce the amount of fatigue. Moreover, taking some vitamin D supplements could help you become more agile.

Recurring Illness

Are you experiencing an illness that keeps coming back l, it could be lack of vitamin D . There have been links showing people with low amounts of vitamin D suffering from repetitive illness. If you find yourself in this situation, talking to your doctor could be ideal.

General Body and Muscle Pain

One of the nutrients that your body needs is vitamin D. People who experience frequent back and muscle pain, could be suffering from low vitamin D. While pain relief drugs can be helpful, taking vitamin D supplements and food rich in vitamin D is recommended.

Read Also : 5 Expert – Approved Tips to a Leaner You

Bone Fracture and Osteoporosis

People need vitamin D to help strengthen bone structure. Bone structure helps grow bones, which will make you strong enough to carry out your tasks. However, low vitamin D can cause osteomalacia in most adults, which can lead to soft bones.

Hair Loss

While hair loss is generally linked with old age, vitamin D deficiency can also cause it. This is because vitamin D helps regulate the hair cycle and promotes the growth of new hair. In medical spaces, alopecia is a health disorder that leads to hair loss. Those with this condition should take  foods rich in vitamin D.

Depression

Various factors  cause depression, and they include loss of job, and illness. . However, some research has proven that vitamin D deficiency is one of the reasons why people are depressed. People who are depressed have shown remarkable improvement when they increase their vitamin D intake.

Bottom Line

Vitamin D nutrient supports nerves, muscles and general body health. Low vitamin D can lead to depression, tiredness and frequent illness. You can conduct a blood test to know if you are suffering from vitamin D deficiency, and when it comes out positive, ask your doctor what to take to improve your vitamin D levels.

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Health

5 Reasons To Eat More Avocado

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Are you interested in living a healthy life? Do you think fruits and vegetables are ideal for general health? If you can relate with the above questions, then avocado should top your meals today. Avocado remains a good source of key nutrients which includes fibre and healthy fats. Moreso, Avocado contains high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which combat heart diseases. Here are 5 reasons why eating more avocado is recommended.

Excellent for Gut Health

Avocados have immense fiber, which benefits everyone . Having more fibre in your diet is important because you are relieved of digestive complications. Also, fibre helps maintain a good atmosphere for the growth of healthy bacteria. Various health researchers suggest that taking more avocados can help reduce inflammation and combat cancer.

A Good Source of Healthy Nutrients

Aside from fiber, avocados have a high concentration of essential nutrients, which are unavailable in many diets. This fruit contains the following nutrients :

  • Vitamin C
  • Fat
  • Calorie
  • Vitamin E
  • Riboflavin
  • Niacin
  • Folate
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Potassium

These are just some of the nutrients you can find in avocados as it boasts numerous others. These nutrients are available in large proportions in avocados and are beneficial to those seeking good health.

Helps Lower The Risk of Heart Disease 

By taking nutrient-dense fruits like avocado in large quantities , you guard against heart illness. The rich nutrients found in this fruit play a huge role in keeping your cardiovascular system in good shape. One of the benefits of eating avocado is that it helps reduce cholesterol levels in the body. Also, the high potassium in it s is ideal for blood pressure regulation and guarding against heart attacks.

Read Also : 5 Daily Activities That Can Help Lower Blood Pressure

Healthy Body Weight Management 

There are factors that help manage body weight, and they include regular exercise and a balanced diet. Asides having high calories, it contains abundant nutrients that help maintain good body weight. People who are overweight need to it more  and other fibre-based meals to help maintain good body shape.

Ideal for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women 

Pregnant and breastfeeding women need twice the normal nutrients required. Unfortunately, most women in this state don’t meet the daily requirement, which could cause pregnancy complications. High amounts folate, B6, and vitamins are important for pregnant women. Additionally, avocado is known to help reduce constipation pains,  common during pregnancy.

Final Thoughts

Avocados are excellent sources of important nutrients that the body needs. Eating this fruit regularly will help protect against heart disease, enhance body satiety and improve overall diet quality.

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