What causes sleep problems?
Everyone experiences problems sleeping at times, we can wake up in the night, or have dreams that disturb our sleep. These problems will usually resolve themselves after a short period of time.
Problems with sleep are often caused by:
- Life events: You may feel distracted, stressed or worried about something going on in your life while you’re trying to go to sleep, which can affect your ability to relax.
- Thinking cycle: Anxious thoughts about not getting enough sleep can cause distress, which can prevent you from relaxing and falling asleep. This can become a vicious cycle.
- Lifestyle: Developing poor habits around sleep, such as not having a regular routine, can cause problems.
It’s common to experience periods of poor sleep, but this doesn’t usually point to a serious mental health problem.
Effects of poor sleep on mental health
If you’re experiencing a period of bad sleep for weeks, months or years, this can affect your day-to-day life. Poor sleep can affect your energy levels, moods and how much you are able to concentrate. It can also have an impact on your relationships, work and social life.
The main issue associated with not getting enough good quality sleep is sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation is associated with poor mood and inability to control our emotions. This poor mood can then disrupt our sleep, creating a vicious cycle.
- Poor focus, memory and concentration
- More likely to consume caffeine and sugary drinks
- More likely to take part in risky and anti-social behaviour
- More likely to suffer from colds and infections
- Less able to manage stress
If you are experiencing ongoing problems with sleeping, the best thing to do is make an appointment to see your GP.