Sleep Makes Happy
Most of us have had the unfortunate feeling of experiencing fatigue at some point in our lives. Just the demands of our modern lives; juggling work, leisure, family and time to workout is hard! But have you ever noticed that on your ‘tired’ days, you’re not as happy as usual?
Even though most of us don’t get nearly enough sleep these days, everyone understands the importance of sleep: human beings require sleep to survive and operate. However, many people are unaware of or misinterpret the importance of sleep to our general happiness and well-being.
Today we are going to share with you four things in your life that will be happier with a good night’s sleep!
You will look younger, and happier
It turns out there is some truth to the saying “get some beauty sleep”, and it’s really not just for Sleeping Beauty!
The ultimate pampering for your skin, hair, and nails is a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep is like receiving the entire spa treatment—a facial, a deep conditioning treatment, and a manicure and pedicure
The blood supply to your skin rises when you sleep, allowing the organ to rebuild collagen and heal UV damage, minimising wrinkles and age spots. While you sleep, your body works to restore and repair itself on the cellular level, supporting not just your health, but also helping you to retain a more youthful appearance (Aswell, 2018).
On the other hand, if you are tired and lacking good quality sleep, your biological aging process actually accelerates! Poor sleep contributes to all of the signs of aging like dull skin, eye bags and tired-looking eyes, and even adding to your wrinkles (Breus Ph.D., 2021).
So maybe next time you think you need to book into the local salon, perhaps a good night of beauty sleep is just what the Dr. ordered. You’ll be happier knowing you saved some money and you look great just from sleep!
More sleep equals less stress
There’s a catch-22 situation when it comes to stress and sleep. Too much stress, whether it’s about money, health, or relationships, makes it difficult to sleep. Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, increases the amount of stress you experience by causing your body to produce more stress chemicals. Stress-related insomnia has been linked to a higher incidence of anxiety disorders and depression (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2007)
Stress might cause you to lose sleep, which can have major effects in your everyday life. Sleep-deprived people have a harder time concentrating at work or school, and as a result, they do poorly in their jobs or schools. So, it seems only natural that the less you stress, the happier you’ll be.
More sleep equals less grump!
Have you heard the phrase “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed”? It’s definitely a common phrase that’s often used to describe someone who is irritable and grumpy! Although they aren’t literally grumpy from getting out of the wrong side of the bed, what the phrase actually means is that someone is most likely tired due to not getting enough sleep.
Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increase in negative emotions (anger, irritation, impatience, and melancholy) and a reduction in happy moods, according to studies. Sleep deprivation is a common sign of mood disorders including sadness and anxiety. It can also increase the likelihood of developing, and even contribute to, some mental disorders (Mood and sleep – Better Health Channel, 2021).
Consider how you feel the next day after a terrible night’s sleep or not getting enough sleep. Many of us are irritated and angry, find it difficult to focus, and have little energy. When things don’t go our way, we tend to overreact, and when things go well, we tend to be less enthusiastic. In other words, getting the right amount of sleep can actually help you to be happier.
More sleep leads to happier relationships
Having a good night’s sleep means you are more patient – meaning you’ll find it easier to communicate with those around you, kids and your partner included. In fact, up to 50% of adults report losing patience or yelling at their partner when they are tried. Not only does that make you happier, but those around you will be happier! This is true for your kids too, with 52% of adults who have less than 8 hours of sleep a night, admitting to yelling at their kids due to fatigue (When Yelling is a Pattern – GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog, 2021). On the flip side, kids who get enough sleep for their health and development are also better able to process emotions and display less irritable behaviour. One study shows that 88% of parents notice their kid’s mood and behaviour is negatively impacted by lack of quality sleep (Brown et al., 2017).
When the whole family is better rested, you’ll all have healthier and happier interactions and that is absolutely something to be happy about.
So sleep really makes you happier?
Of course, there’s a bit of a catch-22: we can’t say for sure whether people who sleep more are happier or if happier people get more sleep, but based on the 5 tips above, we like to think so! What we do know is that getting enough sleep leads to better health and happiness, so it’s worth giving it a go. See how you feel in the morning after a good night worth of shut-eye and tell us if #sleepmakeshappy.
Steps to improve your Sleep
So now that we’ve convinced you that sleep can make you happy – here’s some tips that will help you get good night’s sleep needed for happiness.
Limit your caffeine: If you can, set a ‘cut-off’ time for your last coffee (or any other caffeinated drink). Lunch time is a good time to try.
Don’t go to bed on a full stomach: If possible, allow at least 2 hours after dinner before going to bed.
Limit your alcohol: Try to have no more than 1-2 standard drinks a day. Although alcohol can have a sedative effect and helps you fall asleep, it often leads to mid-night waking and disrupted sleep.
Follow a routine: Following a bedtime routine can help build a habit that singles to your brain and body you are about to go to bed. A consistent bedtime routine has also been shown to be a helpful tool for new mothers to improve mood and improve a baby’s sleep.
Have a warm bath: Many people find that winding down in a warm bath or shower can help relax their mind and body before bed.
Keep off your phone: The blue light emitted from your phone and other electronic devices can impair the body’s own natural nighttime sleep response. You can read more about how screen time can impact your sleep.
Keep a cool sleeping environment: Where you can, try to stabilise the temperature in your bedroom to 18 degrees and wear loose-fitting clothing. If that’s still not helpful, it might be time to investigate SleepMaker beds with Kulkote. Kulkote is actually a temperature regulating technology designed in the USA for astronaut spacesuits. We have integrated the technology into our beds and bedding, meaning the surface of your bed or pillow draws heat away from your body – This technology is particularly useful for menopausal women. You can read more about Kulkote here.
Find your perfect bed: Finding the right bed to match your own needs can help improve your quality of sleep. For example, SleepMaker’s Cocoon range of mattresses have our the Sensorzone® Sleep System. Each spring sits separately within a Dreamfoam® core and responds independently to movement, virtually removing partner disturbance – meaning you’ll sleep better for longer.
Get a happier night’s sleep with SleepMaker
As we now know, there are some amazing mood-enhancing benefits of regular restorative sleep!
Sometimes, getting more sleep is easily achieved with a new mattress. SleepMaker has developed a wide range of advanced technologies to create excellent mattresses in Australia to ensure the most comfortable and supportive sleep possible. Why not take our Sleep Selector Quiz to find the best mattress for you, or check out our list of retailers to find a store close to you.
References
Adams, R., Appleton, S., Taylor, A., McEvoy, D. and Antic, N., 2016. 2016 Sleep Health Survey of Australian Adults. Report to the Sleep Health Foundation. [online] Adelaide: The Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, pp.1-55. Available at: <http://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/pdfs/surveys/SleepHealthFoundation-Survey.pdf> [Accessed 26 October 2021].
American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2007. Chronic Insomnia Can Lead To Anxiety And Depression, Study Suggests. [online] Available at: <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070703171923.htm> [Accessed 21 October 2021].
Aswell, S., 2018. Science Shows You Can Sleep Your Skin Younger — Here’s How. [online] Healthline. Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/beauty-sleep> [Accessed 9 November 2021].
Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2021. Mood and sleep – Better Health Channel. [online] Available at: <https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/Mood-and-sleep> [Accessed 21 October 2021].
Breus Ph.D., M., 2021. Does Sleep Help You Look Younger?. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: <https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/sleep-newzzz/202011/does-sleep-help-you-look-younger> [Accessed 21 October 2021].
Brown, W., Wilkerson, A., Boyd, S., Dewey, D., Mesa, F. and Bunnell, B., 2017. A review of sleep disturbance in children and adolescents with anxiety. Journal of Sleep Research, 27(3), p.e12635.
GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. 2021. When Yelling is a Pattern – GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. [online] Available at: <https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/yelling/> [Accessed 21 October 2021].
Transport and Infrastructure Council, 2018. National Road Safety Action Plan – 2018-2020. [online] Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, pp.2-32. Available at: <https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-11/national_road_safety_action_plan_2018_2020.pdf> [Accessed 21 October 2021].
