Take steps to get good sleep.

During sleep, the body and mind go through various restorative processes, including repairing and rejuvenating cells, consolidating memories, processing emotions, and cleansing toxins from the brain. Good sleep can help us regulate our emotions better as well as improve cognitive skills like learning and attention.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) conducted a poll in 2023 that revealed that American adults with healthier sleep habits are less likely to experience significant depressive symptoms.

• Almost seven in 10 Americans (65%) who are dissatisfied with their sleep also experience mild or greater levels of depressive symptoms.
• People with difficulties falling or staying asleep just two nights a week have higher levels of depressive symptoms than those without sleep difficulties.
• In adults who get less than the NSF recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night, over half experience mild or greater levels of depressive symptoms.
• Over 90% of American adults with very good overall sleep health say they have no significant depressive symptoms.

When we don’t get enough of the quality sleep needed for our bodies to function at their best, it can affect our mental health, too. Poor sleep can make it harder to cope with daily stress. We may be more impacted by minor negative things and less likely to notice the positive parts of our day.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel: when we sleep well, we are recharged and ready to face the day. By getting the deep, restorative sleep we need, we can reduce the likelihood of experiencing poor emotional well-being. So, our sleep should be an important part of our approach to mental and overall wellness.

Taking small steps, each day and night, can make a big difference in our sleep health. Practice that are linked to both good sleep and mental health.