CAN'T SLEEP? IT MAY BE AFFECTING YOUR MOOD

 We all experience insomnia at times. Maybe you have a presentation or meeting that is causing anxious feelings. Perhaps you may have consumed too much caffeine prior to bed. And many people also experience insomnia due to medication changes or even having a sedentary lifestyle. 

As a therapist, I always ask my patients about their sleep habits. This would be to evaluate your sleep hygiene and to also make sure that you are feeling rested. I'm sure that many of us may have fit-ful sleep, where we may wake up during the night. Even needing to use the bathroom can interrupt your sleep and cause you to feel tired during the day.  There may also be physical or medical conditions that affect your sleep, and should insomnia become persistent, you may visit your primary care physician to ensure that you are breathing well at night.

Many of us dismiss our insomnia or rely on coffee to keep us going during the day. But poor sleep can be causing more harm than simply feeling in need of rest. Poor sleep can also cause depressive symptoms. Nobody feels their best without a good night's rest. So, if you are experiencing low motivation, lack of energy, and even change in your appetite you might do a quick inspection of your sleep habits.  If you can point to some level of insomnia, you may have found the culprit that causes these feelings.

If you are hoping to battle that insomnia, the easiest way to start is to evaluate your sleep hygiene. Simple steps like sticking to a bedtime, avoiding caffeneited drinks before bed, and even limited your liquid intake at night to prevent multiple trips to the bathroom. Sometimes it is the simplest of changes that can allow for rest and therefore cause improved overall mood.