How Too Much or Too Little Sleep Impacts Physical and Mental Health

 

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things that you can do for your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, many of us are sleep deprived which can cause multiple negative short-term effects. Sleep deprivation undermines concentration and reaction time and often makes us irritable and less productive. Sleep deprivation can lead to depression, and when struggling with depression, people often have a hard time getting quality sleep and find themselves struggling to get out of bed.

Neither too much sleep nor too little sleep is good for our bodies. When our sleep issues become chronic, those short-term effects can manifest into significant long-term effects. Routinely failing to get adequate sleep has a cumulative effect on brain functioning and elevates the risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Depression

Depression is a mental illness where sleep problems can be a symptom but also a contributing factor in the development of depression. As a result, researchers recommend treating insomnia as a way to both help improve psychological health and as a preventative measure for reducing the risk of depression. One such tool that is used is cognitive behavioral therapy. Studies have demonstrated the positive effects of this treatment on insomnia where patients have reported an overall improvement in their wellbeing and a significant reduction in their depression.

Anxiety

Anxiety is another disorder where the relationship with sleep goes both ways. People who suffer from anxiety typically experience more sleep disturbances and sleep deprivation can lead to feelings of anxiety. The biggest difference that sleep deprivation plays with anxiety compared to other mental health disorders, is the ability to cope. Chronic sleep disturbances make it very difficult to develop coping mechanisms to handle stress and anxiety. This can exacerbate and prolong the symptoms of this disorder.

Finding ways to improve the quantity and quality of sleep can alleviate some of the symptoms of mental health disorders, and as we have learned, may prevent health issues from developing. Seeking professional help is a good way to start exploring different treatment options. Your doctor might suggest a sleep study to look at sleep patterns to help address any underlying sleep disturbances. Another good alternative is ketamine infusions to manage your depression and anxiety. Once the underlying cause is resolved, it can become much easier to regain a healthy and regular sleep schedule. In the end, it is important to treat your sleep issues to help protect your physical and mental wellbeing.

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Contact Tahoe Ketamine

Our clinical team is here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you determine what type of treatment or path forward is most beneficial to you. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or anxiety, contact our office today so that we may answer any questions you may have about ketamine infusion therapy.

Contact us for more information about our IV Therapies at 530-208-9355 or by filling out the contact form below.

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