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Why You Need Your Sleep

Are you suffering from sleep disorder? Studies indicate that sleep and depression are inter related. Sometimes lack of sleep can cause depression or depression can be a cause for lack of sleep. Earlier viewed just as a symptom, sleep problems may cause psychiatric disorders, mood swings and finally depression. Causes for sleeping problems may be numerous. At the end the results are the same. The sleep benefits which give rest to our body and mind are disrupted and irritability follows the effects of a bad sleep.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common problem related to depression and is not part of the depression myths. Different individuals suffer from insomnia in varying stages and ranges. The onset of insomnia is marked by sleeping problems whereby he/she find it difficult to fall asleep. This is the onset of insomnia. Some have problems staying asleep that are termed as sleep maintenance insomnia. Clinical studies indicate that people with sleep problems have a higher risk of getting depression.

Sleep and Depression

The relationship between sleep and depression is complex as they are interdependent. The advent of depression support groups has really helped bring about these problems to the public. Sleeping problems linked with depression can be treated like the case of obstructive sleep apnea, where persons have disordered breathing; the CPAP can be used to apply positive airway pressure to relive symptoms while the depression lasts. Sleeping problems need not be caused only due to depression. Restless leg syndrome can also cause sleeplessness. Narcolepsy is a condition wherein the brain fails to regulate sleep wake cycles. This causes excessive sleep during day time and a state of dream and hallucination. In this condition however long you may sleep during the day, the actual sleep benefits, which you derive by having good night’s sleep, are denied.

Physical Ailments

Some physical ailments like ulcers, acidity and chronic cough can also give sleep problems. This is characterized by what is called short term acute insomnia.  This can also happen due to stress at work, extreme temperatures, noise, light etc. the sleep benefits return when the pattern gets back to normalcy. Medical symptoms like asthma also may cause sleeplessness. However the effects of bad sleep are reversed as soon as the symptom is treated, you can get back to normalcy.

Sleep Benefits

We have often heard the term beauty sleep. Yes!  A good night’s sleep benefits our skin in numerous ways. A restless night makes you look dull and many sleepless nights drain the glow from your face because the blood does not circulate well and you have dark circled around the eyes. Lack of sleep drains blood pressure, makes you more alert, boosts memory, and helps body to repair damages that may have been caused during the day due to stress.

To fight the ill effects of bad sleep you must go to bed on time and have at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. It is preferable to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Avoid caffeine at night as it makes you hyper. Exercise regularly and try some yoga and music therapies. Remove noisy electronic articles from your room make the bedroom comfortable by controlling the temperature. Sleep and depression can be tackled by healthy lifestyle and diet and you too can sleep like a baby.