ZZZ leads to a healthy brain
“I love to sleep. Of course, who doesn't? But
I always fear I will forget everything that I
prepared for an exam after I wake up. So I refrain
from sleeping too much during exams,” said Nirali, a Fanshawe student.
Student life is considered to be the wildest time, where everyone is busy achieving, learning to be responsible and maintaining a healthy social life. Sleeping is a secondary priority to all of this. One sleeps only when their body refuses to function and just shuts down.
There have been many studies explaining the relation between sleep and physical health for an individual. However, lack of proper sleeping etiquette acts like a slow poison for mental health as well.
“Keeping a routine is very important. Research has shown that people who are sleeping three or four hours a night are not as productive. It is important to [get] seven to eight hours of sleep every night for adults to avoid stress, depression and anxiety,”
SHELLEY REYNOLDS Fanshawe Counselling and Accessibility Services.
According to a study conducted by Mental Health Canada, if an individual falls asleep within five minutes of lying down, they probably are sleep deprived or have a sleeping disorder. If an individual feels drowsy during the day, even while conducting boring activities, they did not get enough sleep.
It has been observed by many experts over time that psychiatric patients with disorders like stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have sleep problems in common.
A study conducted by Harvard Medical School stated, “Some scientists have discovered that sleep disruption, which affects levels of neurotransmitters and stress hormones, among other things, wreaks havoc in the brain, impairing thinking and emotional regulation. In this way, insomnia may amplify the effects of psychiatric disorders, and vice versa.”
In 2012, another study conducted by Harvard researchers estimated that chronic sleep deprivation was costing U.S. companies $63.2 billion annually because sleepy employees are less effective.
Studies have shown that people who maintain a good sleep routine are happier, sharper and more practical throughout the day.
“Depression, if handled well in its earlier stages does not create long-term problems. Life happens, everyone gets depressed. But if you have a routine, it would make it easier to move on,” Reynolds said.
Studies have shown that sleeping more than required can cause side effects such as depression, brain impairment or premature death.
According to a study conducted by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, sleep consists of five stages: stages one, two, three, four and Rapid Eye Movement (REM). A good sleep for adults consists of 20 per cent of REM, 50 per cent of stage two and 30 per cent in the remaining stages. The first REM generally occurs 70 minutes after one falls asleep. Each sleep cycle takes up to 90 to 110 minutes during the night.
Hence, having four to five REM cycles every night is what is considered to be an ideal sleep.
Student life is considered to be the wildest time, where everyone is busy achieving, learning to be responsible and maintaining a healthy social life. Sleeping is a secondary priority to all of this. One sleeps only when their body refuses to function and just shuts down.
There have been many studies explaining the relation between sleep and physical health for an individual. However, lack of proper sleeping etiquette acts like a slow poison for mental health as well.
“Keeping a routine is very important. Research has shown that people who are sleeping three or four hours a night are not as productive. It is important to [get] seven to eight hours of sleep every night for adults to avoid stress, depression and anxiety,”
SHELLEY REYNOLDS Fanshawe Counselling and Accessibility Services.
According to a study conducted by Mental Health Canada, if an individual falls asleep within five minutes of lying down, they probably are sleep deprived or have a sleeping disorder. If an individual feels drowsy during the day, even while conducting boring activities, they did not get enough sleep.
It has been observed by many experts over time that psychiatric patients with disorders like stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have sleep problems in common.
A study conducted by Harvard Medical School stated, “Some scientists have discovered that sleep disruption, which affects levels of neurotransmitters and stress hormones, among other things, wreaks havoc in the brain, impairing thinking and emotional regulation. In this way, insomnia may amplify the effects of psychiatric disorders, and vice versa.”
In 2012, another study conducted by Harvard researchers estimated that chronic sleep deprivation was costing U.S. companies $63.2 billion annually because sleepy employees are less effective.
Studies have shown that people who maintain a good sleep routine are happier, sharper and more practical throughout the day.
“Depression, if handled well in its earlier stages does not create long-term problems. Life happens, everyone gets depressed. But if you have a routine, it would make it easier to move on,” Reynolds said.
Studies have shown that sleeping more than required can cause side effects such as depression, brain impairment or premature death.
According to a study conducted by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, sleep consists of five stages: stages one, two, three, four and Rapid Eye Movement (REM). A good sleep for adults consists of 20 per cent of REM, 50 per cent of stage two and 30 per cent in the remaining stages. The first REM generally occurs 70 minutes after one falls asleep. Each sleep cycle takes up to 90 to 110 minutes during the night.
Hence, having four to five REM cycles every night is what is considered to be an ideal sleep.
