Spend a night tossing and turning and it will be no surprise when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Lack of sleep often makes us feel we’re on a short fuse—prone to outbursts when we run into even a mildly stressful situation. Meanwhile, sleeping soundly often acts as a cure, bringing our mood back to normal and making us ready to embrace the new day ahead.
It’s no coincidence that the quality of your sleep greatly affects your mood and behavior the next day. Sleep is a vital part of healing and developing the mind, which is why a lack of shuteye can make you lose concentration and significantly impair your judgment.
How Sleep and Mood Are Linked
If you’re forced to be a night owl because you find yourself counting sheep with just a few hours left on your alarm, it can really do a number on your mood. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania show that people who were only able to sleep for four hours per night were more likely to feel stressed, irritable, short-tempered, and generally mentally exhausted the next day.
After the researchers asked the subjects to resume their normal hours of sleep, they immediately bounced back and saw a dramatic improvement in behavior. That’s why long-term sleep deficiency can take a toll on mental health—leading to depression, anxiety, and an inability to focus.
Sleep and Mood Works Both Ways
Sleepless hours at night is a sure-fire way of waking up with a sour mood, but hitting the sack with a heavy burden on your heart can also impact the quality of your sleep. Going to bed with anxiety-driven thoughts, depression, frustration, or anger are all emotions that can kick your sleepiness to the curb.
Anxiety and stress cause double your struggle for sleep, especially since it stimulates hormones in your body that keep you awake, alert, and even aroused. That’s why people invest in home improvements that promote better sleep in the bedroom—be it the quality of the mattress, blackout curtains, and other fix-uppers that contribute to a blissful slumber.
How Much Sleep Do You Need to Wake Up in a Good Mood?
Many people know that eight hours of sleep is the ideal length of time, though it can still vary depending on your age and physical condition. Children and teenagers can experience better development with nine to ten hours of uninterrupted sleep at night, while adults and seniors benefit the most from eight hours of quality sleep.
The Bottom Line: A Good Night’s Sleep Is the Secret to a Happy Mood
It’s easy to overlook the importance of sleep in this fast-paced world, but a good night’s sleep is the key to unlocking a healthy and happy life. It can impact your well-being in more ways than one—from your mental to physical health.
Finding ways to go around your restlessness at night is crucial, as leaving the problem unchecked can lead you to wake up to a living nightmare. Creating a routine helps promote a normal sleep cycle, while meditation is known to help quiet down your thoughts.
If you find yourself checking the clock every now and then after doing all you can to encourage sleep, then talking to a professional is the next best step.
Sleep Doctor in Jacksonville, FL
If you’re looking for a sleep apnea specialist or sleep doctor in Jacksonville, FL, to get quality sleep apnea treatment, our team at Jacksonville Sleep Center is your best option. You deserve a good night’s sleep, contact us today!
