Sleep. Can it really be the road to happiness?

It almost seems too simplistic, doesn’t it?

When I was a new mother, I remember remarking to a friend, “What’s the importance of sleep anyhow? Just have an extra cup of coffee and keep going!”

I wish I would have known then what I know now!

Research has clearly shown the importance of sleep. It can improve mood, reduce your weight, increase your concentration, etc.—in other words, it can bring happiness and joy to various areas of our lives.

Who knew?!

How Loss of Sleep Affects Our Lives

Believe it or not, just one bad night of sleep can litter our road to happiness with the potholes of negative mood. And the effects are cumulative over time. The more often we miss out on sleep the more pronounced the negative effects become.

We’re not just talking about the quantity of sleep but, even more so, the quality of sleep. If we don’t get enough uninterrupted sleep, mood-related problems can still creep up, even if we slept for the recommended amount of hours.

Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, for example, can rob us of peaceful sleep without us ever knowing it. Snoring and gasping for air every night may cause constant sleepiness, lingering grogginess and brain fog, and recurring headaches. In time, those issues can produce a chronically negative mood.

How does this happen?

Some research has found that sleep deprivation causes a disconnect between the amygdala—the part of our brains that regulates our emotional reactions, particularly negative ones, such as anger and fear—and the area which controls its functions.

This dysfunction then leads to such things as:

• Being unable to manage emotions well and easily getting stressed out, frustrated, irritable, grumpy, angry, and even hostile

• Reacting negatively more quickly when something doesn’t go right, such as with emotional outburst, lashing out, withdrawing, etc.

• Having more difficulty concentrating

• Lacking energy (fatigue)

• Feeling more depressed, sad, or anxious

Entering a Vicious Long-Term Cycle of Lack of Sleep and Mood

Aside from just causing us to feel depressed, anxious, or sad, though, long-term lack of sleep is closely linked to mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Worse even, once we’ve developed a mood disorder, a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle often begins.

Sleep deprivation leads to chronic tiredness—which affects our mood and leads to difficulty coping with daily life—which lowers our self-esteem and self-worth—which leads to stress, feelings of worry and anxiety, and depression—which cause difficulty sleeping and lead to sleep deprivation, and so on.

Clearly, this bidirectional relationship can truly take over your life and completely destroy any joy and happiness you may have once felt.

The good news? Sleep is also the key to regaining control of your life and reclaiming your joy.

The Road to Happiness: Getting Enough Sleep!

Getting plenty of quality sleep can help you rebound quickly and put you back on the road to happiness. It’s an easy subscription, but it requires mindfulness, compassion, and a willingness to celebrate the body that houses you.

Think about it. You only get one body throughout your lifetime. So, love that body, show it appreciation for holding you, care for it as it ages.

After all, wouldn’t you take special care of an heirloom or a newborn child? Your own body should be just as precious to you. Start with giving it enough sleep!

Even if it may feel like a challenge, learning to improve your sleep will help you to start off your day feeling refreshed, with more energy and positivity.

Here’s how you can make it happen:

Create the right sleep environment

Make your bedroom the most comfortable sleep-promoting environment possible. Consider all aspects that may disturb your sleep, such as smells, sounds, light, textures, or temperature. Adjust anything that tends to disrupt your sleep, which may mean installing blackout curtains, buying a new mattress, using a white-noise machine, etc.

Follow a consistent bedtime routine

Attune your circadian rhythm with your local daylight hours by going to bed and waking up (including on the weekends) around the same time. Take specific steps every night before bedtime to help your brain to associate them with sleeping. And limit the stimulus from electronic screens by turning off any device if it must be in your bedroom and avoiding screen time too close to bedtime.

Find ways to relax at the right time

Learn to relax as you’re going to bed by utilizing deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, aromatherapy, or listening to calming music. That also includes knowing how to stay calm when you’re having trouble falling asleep right ahead or when you suddenly wake up during the night. While it also helps to stay calm and relaxed during the rest of the day, don’t just lay back, listen to music, and fall asleep. Short naps can boost energy, but napping too long can hinder sleep at night.

Exercise regularly and moderately

Daily moderate exercise doesn’t just promote a good night’s sleep, it’s also a component that can help you manage your mood and overall mental health. You don’t have to overdo it. Just a little exercise, such as going for a walk or dancing to music, can have a powerful impact on your sleep and general health.

Adhere to a sleep-promoting diet

Eating well means sleeping well. A sleep-promoting diet includes well-proportioned meals rich in a variety of healthy lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It also means limiting foods that can interfere with healthy sleep, such as those high in sugar and carbohydrates, and processed foods. Moreover, staying hydrated is essential for promoting a good sleep pattern. Though, it’s best to greatly limit sugary and caffeinated drinks and simply stick with water.

The Road to Happiness Is Not Paved with Good Intentions...

It’s paved with applying good sleep hygiene!

Getting enough quality sleep is important for various areas of your life. But particularly, it’s essential for emotional regulation and a positive mood.

If you would like to know more about how sleep disorders can cause mood disorders, how to show more compassion for the body that holds you, or how I can help you get on the road to happiness, please contact me. Visit here to learn more.