News
How to Create the Perfect Sleeping Environment
wp:paragraph You may already know the importance of creating good sleeping habits overall, but did you know just how much of an impact your sleeping environment has? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Making your bedroom the perfect sleeping environment is essential for a good quality sleep each night, so that you can function well during the daytime. After all, you spend a third of your life sleeping, so skipping out on a quality sleep is not something you want to do! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here are six tips for creating the perfect environment for sleeping /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true,"type":"1"} Keep the room dark while you sleep: leave the lights off and use blackout curtains. Bonus tip: chose a color for your bedroom walls to help promote a calm environment and avoid anything too flashy. Keep the room temperature a little on the cooler side: having a cool room is best for sleeping, but make sure you are not so cold that you are shivering at night. Keeping your room too warm can be uncomfortable and you may find yourself tossing and turning. Leave electronics out of the bedroom: many people like to fall asleep with the TV on but this is not recommended, keep it in a separate room. You should also try and leave your phone and tablet charging in another room overnight. Be mindful of any noise: background noise can be distracting while you are trying to sleep. If you are a light sleeper and you wake easily, you may want to consider using a white noise machine. Use your bedroom (and especially your bed) for sleeping only: resist the temptation to use your bedroom as an office, lounge area, or social space and keep the clutter in your bedroom to a minimum. This way you can fully relax once it’s bedtime and you won’t feel anxious about other life factors. Make sure your bed is comfortable: invest in a good quality mattress and pillows (depending on which position you sleep in) and don’t overdo it with the covers. /wp:list
Learn more
The Connection between Sleep Apnea and Mental Health
wp:paragraph Sleep plays an incredibly important role in both your mental and physical health overall. It is generally recommended by experts that you get 8-10 hours of sleep per night but if you are suffering from an untreated mental health disorder, you may find yourself experiencing numerous bouts of insomnia and get considerably less sleep at night. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It can be even worse if you suffer from sleep apnea. Many studies have shown that there is a very strong connection between sleep apnea and your mental health. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph How sleep apnea affects your mental health /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Those who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) have been known to experience insomnia which leads to mood swings, fatigue, poor concentration and irritability throughout the day. If you have multiple episodes of OSA that are left untreated, this can deprive your brain of oxygen, which can lead to many serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What is even more alarming is that the symptoms for sleep apnea and many mental illnesses are very much the same. This is why it is extremely important to seek help with any symptoms you may have for mental illnesses. Leaving either sleep apnea or any mental illnesses untreated can lead to some serious effects on your health in the long term. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph How to improve your mental health if you have sleep apnea /wp:paragraph wp:list Avoid using technology before bedtime. Try not to nap during the day (if you absolutely must nap, keep it short so you can still stick to your proper bedtime routine. Set a timer if you need to) Avoid caffeine or other stimulants close to bedtime (including alcohol). Maintain the same bedtime routine every night. If you use a CPAP machine at night, don’t skip your treatment, even for one night! /wp:list wp:paragraph If you are experiencing any mental health distress, please do not hesitate to speak to your doctor to get the proper help. /wp:paragraph
Learn more