Sleep: we love it, we need it, and most of us don’t get enough of it. It can be hard to prioritize getting a good night’s sleep with all of the mounting pressures of adulthood. Sometimes, sleep falls by the wayside as other obligations take priority. Should you get another hour of sleep, or get up early to exercise before work? Should you head to bed early, or stay up to finish one more episode of your favorite show?
For others, even if they crave sleep, sleep problems plague them, and they can never seem to get a good night’s rest. Whatever your reason for not getting enough sleep (whether it’s mostly self-inflicted, out of your control, or a mixture of both), it can be frustrating to face one groggy day after the next and feel as though you’ll never be rested.
The good news is, there is plenty of help for sleep disturbances available for you to choose from. Sleep is a crucial aspect of your behavioral health, so don’t hesitate when it comes to establishing healthy sleep habits today.
What Happens If I Don’t Get Enough Sleep?
Sleep affects almost every aspect of your life, so it should come as no surprise that not getting enough sleep can be detrimental in more ways than one. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, you might suffer from some of the following afflictions:
Lack of concentration, ability to plan, and ability to make decisions. When we feel tired, to put it simply, our brain is not at the top of its game. You might find it harder to pay attention in meetings or conversations if your brain is just focused on how tired you are. Planning and decision-making skills also suffer when we don’t get enough rest.
Irritability and lack of energy. When we don’t get enough sleep, we have less energy to get through the day. We might not want to do the workout we planned, see the friends we promised to meet up with, or run the errands we need to complete. And in the midst of this, we might feel cranky and upset because our brains aren’t properly rested.
Poor mental health. Sleep loss can accentuate mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, meaning that not getting enough sleep can be incredibly dangerous for some. Unhealthy sleep habits can also trigger episodes of mania, paranoia, or psychosis. It’s not just that our brains feel better with enough sleep – for some, sleep is necessary to maintain the equilibrium your brain needs to have good mental health. Sleep and mental health are linked… and if one goes, the other may follow.
If you feel as though you’re suffering from some of these sleep-related afflictions and you don’t know where to turn, don’t hesitate to contact a therapist in Baltimore and work to improve your behavioral health.
What Causes Sleep Problems?
Sleep problems can be caused by a variety of different considerations, including lifestyle factors, mental health problems, and biological impulses. The following is a non-comprehensive list of common causes of insomnia and other sleep disorders:
Stress: Particularly for those who also suffer from anxiety, stress is often related to sleep disorders. Many of us stay up late into the night, even though we’re tired and even though we want to sleep, turning over the problems of our personal lives, our finances, our family situations, and more.
Substances: Consuming certain substances –whether that is alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription drugs – can have adverse effects on our sleep. Alcohol is a depressant known to disrupt healthy sleep, many recreational drugs work explicitly to keep people awake, and sometimes prescription drugs can cause sleep problems as a side effect that patients are not initially aware of.
Family and work situations: Everyone knows that parents often struggle to get enough sleep, especially if they have more than one child or if their children are very young. For others who work late into the night, work the night shift, or are expected to work overtime, you may have to keep an unorthodox sleep schedule – or at times, sacrifice sleep entirely.
Sleep disorders: Sleep disorders include afflictions such as insomnia (difficulty falling or staying awake), sleep apnea (difficulty breathing while sleeping), restless leg syndrome (difficulty relaxing while sleeping), narcolepsy (excessive sleep and daytime drowsiness), and parasomnia (behaviors such as sleepwalking, bedwetting, and nightmares).
For many, if you suffer from these types of sleep problems, the best thing you can do for yourself is find a Maryland wellness center and seek out mental health providers in Maryland to help you.
What Can I Do to Fix My Sleep Problems?
Although these problems may seem daunting, there are certain things you can do to try and fix or curb your difficulties sleeping. For example, you can:
Exercise regularly, but avoid exercising right before bed.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Make your sleeping area comfortable, with minimal lighting and a suitable mattress.
Set a consistent schedule, so you’re awake and in bed at the same time each day (even on weekends).
However, if you have already tried these methods and you’re still not seeing improvement, it may be time to seek a professional to help with sleep disturbances and find a Maryland wellness center that can offer professional help in terms of sleep therapy and potentially also medication management. Here are some ways a Maryland wellness center (like Triumph Behavioral Health) can help:
Sleep Therapy: Certain forms of sleep therapy, such as CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), relaxation tactics (e.g., deep breathing and meditation), and good sleep hygiene (working with a nurse to create a comfortable sleeping environment) can work wonders for those struggling with sleep disorders.
Medication Management: Starting medication can be scary and confusing, but working with professionals like our team at Triumph Behavioral Health can be one of the most effective and practical solutions to solving your sleep problems. There are many medications that can help you, and a professional will help you find the best one.
Get Ready for a Good Night’s Sleep
There is a direct link between sleep and mental health, so it is crucial to take your sleep habits seriously. At Triumph Behavioral Health, we offer some of the best mental health sleep services in Maryland. Find a therapist in Baltimore and manage problems involving mental health, sleep, and stress. Contact Triumph Behavioral Health today, and watch your sleep – and life – change for the better. At Triumph, we care.