![]() The risk of feeling depressed and/or anxious (as well as worsening existing anxiety and depression) increases with the severity of insomnia, and so it is important to recognise and sort out sleep problems as soon as they are identified. Ongoing poor sleep can be a huge risk factor for the development of major depressive disorder. Maintaining a regular sleep-wake cycle allows the natural rhythm of the body to be reset every day and therefore optimises brain functioning and can improve mental health. Sleep has an important restorative function in ‘recharging’ the brain at the end of each day, just like we need to charge a mobile phone battery after prolonged use. Why is sleep important for our mental health? It's not always clear what triggers it, but it's often associated with stress and anxiety, mental health conditions such as depression and schizophrenia, and sometimes physical health conditions such as heart problems and hormonal changes. Insomnia is thought to affect around one in every three people. I have to nap to make up for lost sleep. ![]()
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