It seems that most people simply are not getting enough sleep these days. Many are kept up at night with too many to-dos that need to get done. Others may be able to get to bed, but tend to spend countless minutes stressing or thinking rather than sleeping.
However, the fact remains it’s important to get adequate shut-eye since a good night of sleep can greatly affect whether it’s a good next day — as well as mental health in general.
There are several ways to experience an improvement in our mental health by having a solid sleep session. For starters, getting sufficient sleep helps us to regulate our moods more effectively. Additionally, it improves cognitive functioning. Acquiring enough sleep also helps to reduce stress and lower depression.
On the flip side, not getting enough sleep leads to a worsening of mental health in a variety of facets. Some of these include an increase in anxiety and depression. For others, not getting enough sleep greatly increases irritability and mood swings. Lack of sleep also negatively impacts cognitive functions by shortening attention span, and hampering memory as well as decision-making capabilities.
Some are fortunate enough to fall into a restful sleep as soon as their head touches the pillow. But for others, it can take quite some time. Below are some tips on how to sleep better at night.
PUT AWAY THE PHONE
We would probably sleep better at night if our eyes weren’t glued to our cell phones. With the smart screen capabilities, we can easily lose out on sleep as we find pages surf through and apps to play. Time can easily dwindle away as we continue to scroll, scroll, and scroll some more.
TURN ON SOME WHITE NOISE
One way to help turn to a restful sleep is by turning on some white noise. The static of white noise can have a calming effect on the brain while masking background noise.
SETTING THE STAGE
Just like it can be helpful to set the stage for studying by finding a quiet, comfortable space that allows for focus, it can also be a good idea to establish a calming regimen for successful sleep.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Come check out the Sleep Facts that will be showcased on the second floor of the Student Center during National Sleep Week (March 9-15). Students can check out the display, grab some mental health resources and enter a raffle for wellness prizes!
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
WCC students should keep in mind that they have access to a variety of free resources when it comes to their mental health:
WCC Personal Counseling is available to assist students through difficult life experiences. If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, emotions, mental health or other wellbeing issues, please consider calling 734-677-5223 to learn more about what services are available.
If you are dealing with a mental health emergency and need immediate support, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. If you or someone else’s life is at risk right now, immediately call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Protocall is a mental health helpline for WCC students. If you are in need of support after hours, please call 833-WCC-4-YOU (833-922-4968).
WellTrack Boost is an interactive app available to all WCC students that provides you with tools and strategies for stress management and understanding and managing your own mental health. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play and log in with your WCC credentials.