The modern digital era and social media affect our sleep and mental health. Social engagements and commitments play havoc with our sleep orders. Due to lack of sleep, it’s unlikely to increase productivity and enhance mental well-being.
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The connection between mental health and sleep
Mood Regulation
Sleep is linked to our emotional health; during sleep, the brain restores the amygdala while processing emotional information, which is the epicenter of emotional regulation. In a recent study, researchers found that sleep deprivation is directly linked to mood swings and irritability, published in the Journal of Neuroscience. People with less or disrupted sleep are at higher risk of anxiety, depression, and cortisol compared to those who sleep well. Insomnia disrupts quality of life, and chances of mood swings increase.
Cognitive Skills
Good sleep is crucial in brain functioning, specifically learning and memory formation. A deep sleep strengthens the connections between neurons that form our memories. A lack of sleep or less than six hours impairs the ability to concentrate, make decisions, and solve problems.
Sleep and Productivity
Focus and Attention
A relaxed person with quality sleep displays high attention to detail and is way more focused in his daily work and productivity. At the same time, a restless person showed reduced energy and innovation. This reduction in brain activity correlated with decreased performance on attention-demanding tasks. In every industry attention to detail and focus is highly important to perform any task effectively.
Innovation and vision
REM sleep, in particular, is associated with creative problem-solving. During REM sleep, the brain forms new neural connections, often between seemingly unrelated concepts. A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that participants who had REM sleep were 40% better at solving creative problems than those who remained awake.
Lessor Errors
The less sleep, the more chances of errors because disrupted brain functions slowly, and the chances of errors increase. It is proven by the study of SLEEP journal that medical workers who have longer shifts with less resting time made 36% more errors compared to those who have shortened shifts with relaxed minds.
Improving Sleep for Better Mental Health and Productivity
A scheduled sleep cycle helps to maintain the biological rhythm of the body. People with good sleep schedules perform well in their day schedules as well. For improving sleep, engaging in calming activities like book reading before bed play a vital role in good sleep. Excessive use of screens has a negative impact on sleep; that’s why it is suggested to shut down electric gadgets two hours before bedtime.
Final Word
Sound sleep has an amazing effect on mental well-being and productivity, which enhances the probability of professional success. A relaxed mind with sound sleep pays high attention and more focus in a person’s professional life. As our understanding of sleep science continues to evolve, it’s becoming increasingly clear that prioritizing sleep is beneficial and essential for leading a healthy, balanced, and productive life. Adopting healthy lifestyles and adapting to proven strategies to enhance sleep quality, productivity, and mental health is important to cope with modern-day challenges.
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