Source by Amanda Bach
Americans seem to be willing to do almost anything to cope with sleep-deprivation and emotional stress, but when push comes to shove, they are turning to quick fixes in lieu of obvious solutions. According to the findings of the 2006 Better Sleep Month survey, Americans are ignoring the fundamental steps to improve quality sleep and mood.
It is well-known that sleep problems can be a key sign of depression. What people may not realize is that the reverse is also true — sleep disorders can actually trigger mood disorders and depression. As researchers learn more about the underlying cyclical connection between sleep and our mental health, the important balance is becoming even more apparent.
According to the 2006 Better Sleep Month survey, better sleep did result
in better mood among respondents. When asked to rate their sleep
quality, quantity, and overall mood over the course of one week, people
who obtained seven or more hours per night were more likely to rate
their general mood as excellent (57%), as opposed to those receiving an
average of six hours of sleep or less (45%). Only 25% of respondents
rated the quality and quantity of their sleep as excellent. That
means that 75% need to take action to improve their sleep.
If experiencing trouble sleeping over a period of time, Americans report that they are most likely to change their sleeping schedule (51%) and build in time for more sleep (56%) to improve their sleep. However, this may not be a viable first-step solution, according to many experts.
More sleep doesn’t necessarily mean better, especially if underlying factors that contribute to poor sleep, such as an inadequate sleep environment or sleep-depriving behaviors, are not properly addressed. It may just mean that you end up tossing and turning in your bed for a longer time.
“The survey results show that people overlook some of the most obvious components of quality sleep,” said Nancy Shark, executive director of the Better Sleep Council. “Take for example the reluctance, even if needed, to replace an old mattress (66% say they are not likely). The mattress is literally the foundation of our sleep. Comfort and support aside, we spend an average of four entire months every year entirely on our bed. Given that kind of usage, your sleep surface cannot be an afterthought.”
Accordingly, additional consumer data from 2005 indicates that nearly half of Americans (47%) keep mattresses longer than many experts recommend. “As a rule of thumb, after five-to seven years of use, it’s a good time to evaluate your sleep set,” adds Shark. “You can get used to a bed long after it stops providing you with the optimal comfort and support you need.”
We have an interview (Q&A) with sleep expert and 2006 Better Sleep Month Spokesperson, Dr. Amy Wolfson. Dr. Wolfson is a sleep researcher, Professor of Psychology at the College of Holy Cross and authored the book "The Woman's Book of Sleep: A Complete Resource Guide.”
Interview with
Dr. Amy Wolfson
Q:
Is it a myth that we can “catch up” on sleep? Does “sleep debt”
really exist?
A: We can’t really catch up on sleep as we continue to accumulate a sleep debt over our lifetime. However, just as the effects of sleeping longer for several nights can improve alertness, the negative effects of getting too little sleep accumulate over time. Getting an inadequate amount of sleep each night for a week can make you vulnerable to a number of problems: excessive sleepiness, irritability, reduced motivation, impaired performance, limited ability to think creatively, and so forth.
Q: What happens when your body doesn’t get the amount of sleep it needs? What are the implications?
A: The timing and quantity of sleep and the onset of illness may be associated. New research suggests that if you are coming down with some sort of bug, sleep will probably have a preventive effect. Lack of sleep can impair an individual's physical health and emotional well-being. Inadequate and irregular sleep/wake schedules influence the body's defenses by weakening the immune system, straining the organs, and, therefore, making people more susceptible to illness.
Q: Do women need more sleep than men, and if so, why?
A: No, both adult men and women need about 7.5 to 8.5 hours/sleep each night.
Q: Are women more like to be affected emotionally from sleep deprivation than men?
A: Women certainly are more likely to report that they feel depressed when they are unable to obtain an adequate or quality night of sleep. It is unclear; however, if this is a reporting bias or that a woman’s mood is more affected by insufficient sleep. Overall, about 2 times more women report depression than men.
Q: What times in life are most important for a good night’s sleep
A: A good, sufficient night of sleep is always important. Sleep is as important as nutrition and exercise. It is most important to pay attention to getting a sufficient night of sleep, however, when one is responsible for driving, operating machinery and/or responsible for taking care children.
Q: Is it true that sleep can have an effect on our emotional “performance” during the day? Is it just psychosomatic because you know you didn’t get enough sleep or is there really a neurological impact and explanation?
A: Sleep definitely has an effect on our emotional well-being. It is not merely psychosomatic; sleep results from changes in the balance of major neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, melatonin and others. Many of these neurotransmitter systems are also responsible for multiple brain functions, including those related to mood and other cognitive/emotional behaviors. It is not surprising that significant interactions occur between sleep and depression and/or depressed mood.
Q: If sleep deprivation is impacting your mood one day, can you fix it immediately by just getting a good night’s sleep or are there residual or more long-term effects?
A: One will find that as they begin to obtain a consistent sleep schedule and get an adequate amount of sleep, close to 8 hours per night, they will experience a better daily mood. However, individuals diagnosed with clinical depression may require other interventions in addition to getting an adequate amount of sleep.
Q: Does your sleep surface really make a difference in how well you sleep
A: Absolutely. It is important to evaluate your sleep surface on a regular basis. If you walk every day or every other day for exercise, you probably check to make sure that your walking shoes are in good shape and are not worn out. Similarly, if you are having difficulty getting a quality night of sleep, it is important to evaluate your bed and sleep environment.
Q: When considering sleep disorders and depression, are sleep problems a result of depression, or is the depression a result of the sleep problems.
A: Sleep problems and depression are associated with each other. It can be difficult to tease the two apart. Individuals who regularly get an insufficient amount of sleep for a variety of reasons may be more susceptible to feeling depressed. On the other hand, individuals who are diagnosed with depression may have coexisting sleeping problems such as insomnia and/or chronic sleepiness. Undoubtedly, if you are depressed and/or concerned about a sleeping problem, it is important that you seek attention from a health care provider who has expertise in both depression and sleep disorders.
Sleep
Expert and 2006 Better Sleep Month Spokesperson
Dr. Amy Wolfson answers common questions about sleep and
emotional well-being. Dr. Wolfson is a sleep
researcher, Professor of Psychology at the College of Holy Cross,
and authored the authored the book "The
Woman's Book of Sleep: A Complete Resource Guide.”
More
information
For more
information about the Better Sleep Council and Better Sleep Month,
please visit:
www.BetterSleep.org.
SOURCES:
Fleishman-Hillard –