How Did You Sleep Last Night?
Adequate sleep is one of the essential universal functions of living species, to which we dedicate about one-third of our lives. Unfortunately, research has demonstrated that more than half of the adult population in the USA suffers from sleep problems (56%). Even though sleep problems occur across the globe, the USA is top of the list. Very severe sleep problems can have a profound impact on the daily functioning of a person, and it is linked to significant health issues such as:
Increased cardiovascular risks resulting from inadequate sleep duration and quality.
Related to behaviors such as overeating and unhealthy diets which contribute to weight gain and obesity.
Negative impacts on hormones and neuroendocrine function, raising the risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Giving priority to sleep could improve cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Sleep is crucial for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Insomnia
Insomnia is described and diagnosed when individuals have difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep or experience non-restorative sleep. One is diagnosed with insomnia disorder if the complaints occur at least three days per week for at least three months, as manifested by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Insomnia comes with a lot of suffering for the people being diagnosed with the disorder such as difficulties in their daytime domains, such as sleepiness and cognitive challenges.
On top of these significant negative consequences, insomnia is a risk factor for medical problems as well as mental ones. A heightened medical risk for insomnia patients includes heart disease, high blood pressure, and neurologic disease. Almost more alarming are possible psychological consequences with some strings of research even investigating the possibility of insomnia leading to depression. In addition to depression, insomnia also has a noticeable correlation with anxiety disorders and anxiety sensitivity.
Sleep deprivation may, in part, increase the risk of neurological diseases through decreased clearing of metabolic waste via the glymphatic system. There have been many recent reviews discussing the interactions between sleep and circadian disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Role of Stress and Anxiety in Sleep Disturbances
Stress and anxiety are essential contributors to poor and reduced sleep. Anxiety affects about 40 million adults in the United States and is associated with insufficient sleep. Individuals with high stress have difficulty falling asleep and increased night-time awakenings. Not only can stress and anxiety lead to inadequate sleep, but insufficient sleep can affect mood and lead to stress and anxiety. A 4-year cohort study found that the risk of developing anxiety was significantly higher in those with insomnia compared to those without. Targeting stress and anxiety reduction may be advantageous in improving sleep.
Where to Start
If you or someone you know is experiencing sleep disruption temporarily, we hope you will not ignore this critical part of your life. Many people assume that a restless or wakeful night can be expected with all the demands on our time and energy. Over the next few weeks, in our newsletter and weekly blogs, we explore myths associated with sleep and napping as well as offer several well-researched non-pharmacological solutions to help you improve the quality of your sleep. Some of the topics are:
Napping: Good for you or not?
How to get a good night’s sleep
Sleep and aging
Non-pharmacological sleep aids
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