Poor sleep is directly correlated with increasing stress, decreasing the ability to focus or maintain positive mood states, and as such, the incidence of anxiety and depression continues to intensify as sleep problems continue to increase.
Numerous researchers have examined the correlations between mental health and quality of sleep, particularly how sleep deprivation inhibits recovery of the brain from stress. Furthermore, sleep deprivation is associated with increased vulnerability to the onset of both anxiety and depression.
Growing Worldwide Impact of Insomnia on Mental Health
People will experience an overall decrease in mental wellness, because as emotional balance is lost so too will mental wellness decline.
Worldwide, as insomnia continues to become more prevalent, the negative impact on mental health also is increasing.
What does sleep quality mean?
The term “sleep quality” describes how well an individual completes a restorative sleep cycle, and includes not only how much sleep you receive daily, but also how deeply and consistently.
As the brain cannot reset the emotional and cognitive function of the mind without sufficient sleep quality, it will ultimately weaken your mental wellness.
Factors that Decrease Sleep Quality on a Global Scale
There are numerous modern-day factors that will continue to decrease the quality of sleep worldwide, such as: manmade shiny objects, light from electronic devices, inconsistent work hours, and being notified of something due to continuous communication.
As a result, the cumulative effect of these major contributors has resulted in decreased mental resilience over time.
The National Institutes of Health published research that has shown a direct correlation between poor sleep quality and anxiety.
The report showed that as sleep quality declines, people’s ability to remain stable emotionally becomes diminished. The situation of a declining sleep quality is becoming considerably greater with age as we see the effects that not getting enough rest has on people over time, both physically and mentally.
As a result of a decline in mental health due to lack of sleep, mental health problems are increasing across the globe.
Global Increase in Mental Health Issues Due to Sleep Problems
According to two source documents published by the World Economic Forum, the impact of stress-related mental health issues in the workplace contributes to reduced productivity throughout the world.
In addition to the reduction of emotional strain on individuals and employees, sleep problems create a greater emotional strain and burnout on employees.
This has been especially noticeable in high-pressure economies.
Long-Term Mental Decline from Sleep Deprivation
A small amount of stress may seem daunting when a person’s brain does not have sufficient rest to recuperate from the prior day’s emotional strain.
Continuous sleep deprivation results in not only an increase in emotional reactivity, but also an increase in mental fatigue.
The longer the period of time a person is under stress, the more likely that person’s mental wellness is declining.
Sleep problems contribute to a reduced ability of the brain to recover from negative experiences.
The difficulty of healing emotional wounds becomes even more difficult.
As a result, the persistence of mental health issues becomes more complex.
The Chronic Cycle of Sleep Problems and Mental Health Issues
As mental health issues increase, they increase the likelihood of further sleep problems.
The cyclical nature of this relationship creates long-term issues that affect both individuals and communities.
Mental wellness is negatively affected when sleep and stress interact.
Chronic Stress Alters Hormone Production Related to Sleep, Resulting in the Prolonged Elevation of Cortisol, Which Then Affects the Quality of the Sleep and the Continuing Cycle of Being Emotionally Exhausted.
Workplace Stress and the Reinforcement of the Stress–Sleep Cycle
Today, Workplace Pressure and Modern Stressors are Contributing to Most of the World’s Sleep Problems.
Stressful working conditions, Long Working Hours, Remote Work Boundaries, and Job Insecurity all add to the Mental Strain on our bodies, making it difficult to disconnect from work mentally before going to bed.
The Stress-Sleep Cycle will Continue to Reinforce One Another, Therefore Creating an Environment for Long-Term Mental Health Challenges.
The Next Section of this Article Explores How Technology Makes This Cycle Worse.
How Technology Usage is Making Sleep Problems and Mental Wellness Worse
Technology usage is One of the Greatest Contributors to Sleep Problems Happening Currently.
Phones, Tablets, and Laptops All Give Off Blue Light, which is Shown to Suppress Melatonin Production and Delay the Natural Sleep Signals to Our Brains.
In addition to Interfering with the Sleep/Rest Cycle, The Irregularity of Sleep Affects Mental Wellness.
Excessive Screen Time and Emotional Overstimulation
In addition to The Use of Blue Light in Technology, Using Excessive Amounts of SCREEN TIME Keeps Our Brains Active and Mentally Stimulated Prior to Bedtime.
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Notifications, messages, social networks, etc., interfere with emotional relaxation.
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therefore, make it more difficult to fall asleep.
Overall, sleep quality is deteriorating with continued exposure.
Digital Overload Effects on Mental Wellness
The stress, anxiety from constant comparisons, and fatigue from excessive use of digital media are Mental fatigue accumulates throughout the day in an unnoticed way, which results in worsened emotional resilience and Mental Wellness will therefore also be harder to maintain consistently.
The American Psychological Association cites a number of studies that show the correlation between heavy screen usage and increased anxiety as well as Sleep Disturbances.
The American Psychological Association research demonstrates how constant connectivity affects us emotionally and leads to Sleep Disturbances after prolonged exposure to digital.
Long Term Impacts
Failure to establish healthy boundaries between technology and sleep/mental health will continue to negatively impact Sleep and Mental Health.
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The younger generations will be impacted most with these patterns.
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leading into more adolescents facing ever-increasing mental health-related problems associated with sleep loss.
Adolescent Sleep Problems Are Contributing To Mental Health Issues
Mental Wellness is adversely affected by Limited Sleep.
A large number of adolescents maintain an irregular sleep pattern during the week due to school responsibilities.
School responsibilities interrupt the adolescent’s circadian rhythm and emotional equilibrium.
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If unchecked over time, school responsibilities could lead to increased incidence of anxiety and mood disorders.
Youth Emotional Vulnerability
Sleep quality is essential to the developing brains of adolescents.
Poor quality of sleep over time leads to emotions becoming more sensitive, impulsive and anxious.
Stress feels amplified to the brain when it does not get the proper amount of rest.
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Mental Health Problems often occur early in life from these types of factors.
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Emotional Regulation becomes increasingly difficult as time goes on.
Many organizations around the world, including UNICEF, are tracking an increase in youth mental health issues due to the effects of sleep deprivation.
Sleep is a major contributor to mental wellness and is one of the most important protective factors for developing healthy sleep habits early on.
Long-Term Effects of Unresolved Sleep Issues
If early sleep issues are not corrected, they can have negative effects on adulthood.
This can lead to increased mental health issues throughout life and will be further examined in the section on work culture’s impact on adulthood sleeping habits.
Mental Wellness and Sleep Quality Declining Due to Work Culture
Sleep quality has been declining for adults throughout the world due to the growing demands of work.
More and more people work farther into the night and later into the day because of their job.
With most jobs these days requiring long hours and having to work around the clock and always being “on,” rest schedules have become harder to maintain for many jobs.
Therefore, going to bed has become more difficult due to these issues.
As a result, sleep issues are developing slowly.
The World Is Beginning to Recognize the Sleep Problem
It is common for a person’s mental health to be negatively impacted if it continues to occur from the work environment over a long period of time.
Because of this continuous fatigue, it becomes more difficult to return to a routine of getting adequate sleep.
Not only are individual workplaces impacted by their workers sleeping fewer hours per week; the economic impact on a nation and the economies around the globe is increasing.
The link between the economic pressures and social influences on the sleep of workers worldwide will be discussed further in the next section.
The Financial Pressure Creates Worldwide Sleep Problems
Economic pressures contribute to the sleep problems that are continuing to rise throughout the world.Income, housing and job security are important factors that often keep people awake at night. As a result, it is difficult to relax and fall asleep without the assistance of medication.
Constant financial stress results in a weakened state of mental wellness.
Additionally, financial stress continues to contribute to lower sleep quality.
Poverty and Stress are linked to Poor Sleep
There are many studies conducted by organisations such as the World Bank which indicate a direct relationship between poverty, poor sleep and stress. Their findings indicate the mental wellness of people living in poverty decreases when they are exposed to economic stress.
Global Impact of Economic Stress on Sleep
Economic stress affects people within all cultures and regions. Understanding the impact of urban living on financial stress, as well as how it contributes to sleep deprivation, provides insight into how urban living contributes to sleep problems.
Urban Living is Affecting Sleep Quality and Mental Wellness
Urban Areas Have Higher Levels of Noise and Environmental Stressors
Urban areas create a noisy, bright, active and busy environment for the people who live in them. transportation, road improvements, high levels of population density and large numbers of people create an atmosphere that is detrimental to sleep.
Urban Areas Have Increased Risk of Disruption to Circadian Rhythm
The constant exposure to light at night in urban areas can disrupt a person’s circadian rhythm. Just a small amount of artificial light can delay sleep onset.
The urbanization process has resulted in an increase in individuals experiencing sleep-related disorders.
The current problems being faced by the elderly population
Many older adults are now suffering from increased occurrences of sleep problems, such as disturbed or shortened sleep cycles, frequent awakenings, or difficulty returning to sleep after withdrawal from sleep medication or sedatives. Most older adults feel tired and have low mood.
Mental health issues can develop or worsen because of ongoing problems with sleep quality.
Mental wellness care is still failing to adequately address the role of sleep health
Mental wellness care is still failing to adequately address the role of sleep health in achieving optimal mental health. As long as sleep is viewed as an afterthought in relation to mental wellness, sleep-related issues will be seen as secondary to other psychological issues.
This will impede the ability to intervene early, and prevent future complications in regards to mental health. As a result, mental health conditions become more complicated over time.
Medical professionals typically address immediate psychological symptoms, rather than looking for patterns of sick sleep. Therefore, conditions relating to poor sleep quality typically remain untreated, which leads to a slower recovery from emotional issues.
Supporting mental wellness involves incorporating adequate sleep support along with all other aspects of recovery.
The Availability of Mental Health Services Varies from Area to Area
The availability of mental health services continues to be inconsistent, due to the variations in how sleep disorders are assessed. Most healthcare providers do not conduct screening for sleep problems in conjunction with the standard mental health evaluation.
This creates a gap for many individuals, who do not receive adequate treatment for their mental health issues secondary to sleep disorders, which quietly worsen their emotional state.
Advocacy organizations, such as the World Health Organization, have called for greater sleep evaluations with respect to mental health treatment.
They have encouraged the early detection and prevention of sleep problems, in addition to improving mental wellness by addressing sleep as an essential component of overall health.
Increasing Numbers of Sleep Deprivation Related Mental Health Issues Will Continue to Occur
Changing Perspectives in Society
Over the last several years, there have been numerous public awareness campaigns aimed at educating society about how we can change our view of sleep.
By educating individuals on better sleep practices will lead to better sleep, improved overall health and positive changes in their mental health.
Education as a Tool to Promote Better Sleep and Mental Health
Education has been proven to be a powerful tool in improving the sleep habits of people around the world.
Research has shown that most persons do not have the necessary information about what constitutes a healthy sleep pattern.
Therefore, public awareness programs assist these individuals in understanding the different stages of sleep and how it connects with their emotional health.
Education is becoming a more prevalent part of school systems and workplaces worldwide.
Organizations are beginning to implement education and awareness programs related to sleep.
Public Figures as an Important Influence on Normalizing Conversations Regarding Sleep and Mental Health
Public figures, including athletes and political leaders, provide public visibility about the importance of sleep and mental health.
The Sleep Foundation and other organizations provide their resources to the public to assist in creating public awareness of the need for better sleep practices.
Building a Healthier Future
Education has an ongoing impact on our ability to get quality sleep, along with the ability to have healthy emotional health.
The result of this is an increase in the overall mental wellness of an individual that stems from the improvement in sleep and emotional health.
Early Intervention for Sleep Problems
When sleep problems are detected and treated early, the likelihood of long-term mental health problems being prevented is greater.
The Mayo Clinic experts provide a basis for their recommendations for preventing sleep problems based on three interconnected aspects of life: Sleep is a Lifestyle.
Preventive Techniques Create Lower Stress Levels for Future Mental Stress.
As such, Preventive Behaviors not only make it possible for a person to reduce future mental stress, they also provide the basis for creating new and broader mental wellness initiatives and strategies at both a policy and global level.
Adoption of Public Policy to Increase Sleep and Mental Wellness
Public Policy Impacts On Sleep and Mental Wellness at a Global Level
Many Public Policies have an impact on improved Mental and Sleep Wellness at a global level.
Public Policy determines Work Hours and Shift Schedules; it also addresses Employee Mental Health Support.
In turn, decreasing an Employee’s stress level will prevent future sleep issues.
Structures and Supports help to decrease future sleep issues.
Workplace Wellness Programs are now more frequently incorporating Education on Sleep.
This approach will result in increased Productivity, Improved Mental and Emotional Health at a Worksite, and increased Mental Wellness at the Community and Societal level.
Collaborative Global Health Efforts
Collaboration between Members of the Global Community will enable Global Strategies for improving Sleep and Mental Wellness.
When Members of the Global Community share information, fund Research, and Educate the Public on Sleep Quality, it allows Sleep to be focused upon as a Priority for Global Health.
Global Collaboration Benefits Our Society and Future.
Long-Term Effects of Establishing Public Policy
Establishing Effective Public Policy Positions Through Enhancing the Public’s Ability to Achieve Mental and Emotional Health and Wellness through Sleep, creates enhanced focus on developing New and Future Leaders and the Future of Global Mental and Emotional Health.
Our Future Depends on How Well We All Achieve Quality Sleep
Conclusion
The quality of Sleep is an interrelated factor that affects the Mental Wellness of People Throughout the World.
Increasingly Poor Sleep Quality Continues to Afford Mental Disturbances, Anxiety, and Stress to Populations Around the Globe.
As our Society Grows and Becomes More Globally Connected, the quality of Sleep Continues to Decline, which Will Have a Long-Term Negative Impact on Our Global Society and Future.
