Randi Silverman - Certified Sleep Consultant >> ' What's Your Mind Got to do With Sleep '

Sleep for the brain is like gas for a car. When the tank is full we get where we need to be. But as time goes on, the gauge falls lower and lower until the gas is gone and the car stops. Without the fuel it needs, the car is useless.

The only difference is the brain’s fuel is sleep. Without proper sleep, our minds begin to slow, unable to operate at their full potential. This happens until the mind becomes so deprived of the rest it needs, it breaks down. And without the commander-in-chief acting accordingly, the rest of the body pays the price.

Sleep is the mind’s time to rest and recharge. When we get proper sleep, memories, emotions and new information are processed and filed away for our minds to retrieve later on. You know, so you can recall the name of the new coworker that started in your office last week, right? If you fail to get adequate sleep, well, let’s just hope you don’t run into that new coworker in the bathroom. Because sleep is the time our mind blocks for mental processing, it makes sense why we would be forgetful when we miss out on a good night’s sleep. That’s not all. Sleep is also the time emotional processing takes place. This is why if we miss out on precious rest, we are far more likely to silently curse the car who cuts us off in traffic, or worse. HAVE YOU EVER DONE THAT? [ We all have ]

Have you ever noticed that when you miss out on sleep you tend to be more sensitive, easily irritated, or impulsive? There’s a biological reason for that, and it has to do with two areas of the brain called the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.

Less Sleep, More Stress
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a big role in our “fight or flight” response. It helps keep us alert. The production of cortisol is regulated by the pituitary gland (remember, the one the hypothalamus is connected too). It’s very important for cortisol levels to be just right. If too much or too little cortisol is produced, there are consequences.

Our mind is pretty complex, huh? Amazingly, this is only scratching the surface in terms of how sleep impacts our mental health. But what about how our mental state impacts sleep? That’s a whole other fish to fry. I told you our sleep and mind have an intimate relationship.

How Mental Health Impacts Sleep
There’s no denying sleep and mental health have a reciprocal relationship. Lack of sleep impacts mental health, and vice versa. One thing is for sure: when our mental health is on the rocks, our sleep is right there with it.

With this in mind, I did a ‘live’ on this issue as it plays a role in our daily life. If you did not see it, check it out here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/2073660705990121 If this is you and you can relate to this, you’re welcome to JOIN.