By Tova Grama
Sleep plays a pivotal role in human function and balancing emotions, exerting profound effects on one’s well being. Its significance has been widely studied, and recent research has unveiled its involvement in emotion regulation. The interplay between sleep and emotion is evidently interconnected. With a regulated sleeping pattern, daily emotions tend to be stable. On the contrary, insomnia can lead to detrimental effects such as depression, increasing irritability, and inability to tackle daily hurdles.
Dr. Lawrence Epstein, a researcher at Harvard University, explains that lack of sleep can lead to emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. A significant study done at Harvard Medical School involving 10,000 adults demonstrated that individuals with insomnia had a fivefold increased risk of developing depression. Additionally, the lack of sleep poses an even greater risk for anxiety. In the same study, those with insomnia were 20 times more likely to develop panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder. Another study done by a cohort at The School of Psychological Sciences of Tel Aviv University underscored that insomnia serves as a reliable predictor for depression and various psychiatric disorders, encompassing a spectrum of anxiety disorders.
Quality sleep is instrumental in sustaining cognitive functions like attention, learning, and memory. Conversely, inadequate sleep can significantly impede one’s ability to handle even minor stressors and may influence one’s capacity to perceive the world accurately. Sleep deprivation and emotion partake in a bidirectional relationship. Negative emotion can decrease one’s ability to fall asleep, and the lack of sleep can increase negative emotions. This tends to result in a downward spiral of an individual’s well being. Recognizing the significance of prioritizing quality sleep becomes imperative for physical health and maintaining a harmonious and balanced emotional state. Addressing the root causes of sleep deprivation and adopting healthy sleep practices are crucial steps toward fostering mental well-being and emotional resilience.
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Effect-of-Sleep-on-Your-Emotions.aspx
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167876013001475