top of page
Writer's pictureChristen Bellace

Combatting Sleep Issues: How Depression Affects Your Sleep and Strategies to Improve It

Have you ever had a long, draining day and found yourself looking forward to hitting the bed, only to be met with a mind that refuses to shut off? You're not alone. Depression often impacts sleep patterns, leading to a cycle that feels impossible to break free from. It's no secret that sleep is our body's secret wellness weapon. A good night's rest rejuvenates us mentally and physically. However, when depression sets in, our sleep can take a hit. In this article, we're diving deep into how depression can interfere with a peaceful slumber and, more importantly, how you can employ certain coping skills to promote better sleep.

"Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together." - Thomas Dekker

Here's an overview of what you can expect from this read:

  1. The Connection between Depression and Sleep

  2. How Depression Affects Your Sleep?

  3. Recognizing the Signs of Sleep Disturbances due to Depression

  4. Coping Strategies to Improve Sleep

Ready to arm yourself with knowledge and effective strategies for a better night's sleep? Let's take the first step together.

You're probably wondering, "how exactly does depression affect sleep?" It's a two-way traffic. On one hand, individuals suffering from depression often experience severe sleep problems. On the other, frequent trouble sleeping can also exacerbate symptoms of depression. It's a vicious cycle indeed! But don't lose hope - understanding this complex relationship is key in building effective coping strategies.


The Physiology Behind Sleep and Depression

Sleep is not merely "down time" for the brain to rest. Rather it plays an active role in a variety of biological functions, including both physical and emotional well-being. Depression, a common mental health issue known for persistent feelings of sadness or loss of interest, interfaces with sleep through various mechanisms.


The brain houses a cluster of nerves known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus, essentially our biological clock. It regulates our sleep-wake cycle, ensuring we feel drowsy at night and alert during the day. However, in people dealing with depression, this cycle can become disrupted. They may experience insomnia, finding it hard to fall asleep, or hypersomnia, feeling excessively sleepy throughout the day.


Insomnia and hypersomnia, as distressing as they may be, are not the only sleep disturbances associated with depression. There's also 'early morning awakening', this is when you wake up way too early, like at 3 or 4 A.M., and can't go back to sleep, leaving you exhausted for the rest of the day. Similarly, you might have 'middle-of-the-night insomnia', where you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, staying awake for an hour or two, and then falling back asleep.


What's going on? Well, chronic sleep problems can be both a symptom of depression and a contributing factor to it. When we sleep, our brains go through a cycle of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. Throughout the night, we cycle between both types, with each cycle lasting about 90 minutes. However, depression can disrupt these cycles, reducing the amount of rejuvenating deep sleep and increasing REM sleep, which can lead to persistent feelings of tiredness and contribute to the emotional and cognitive symptoms of depression.


So how does depression muddy up our sleep cycles? Normal sleep architecture begins with stages of lighter, non-REM sleep, gradually progressing into the deep, restorative sleep. For you, my dear reader, suffering from depression, this natural progression often gets distorted. You may slide too quickly into REM sleep, that stage associated with dreaming. Why is this a problem? Well, too much REM sleep and a diminished quantity of deep, non-REM sleep make your sleep less restful and you can wake up feeling unrefreshed, even if you've been in bed for a full 8 hours. It's quite the bummer, right?

Sleep is the best meditation. - Dalai Lama

Well, let's pivot a bit. Enough of the problem. Let's talk solution. If you're battling depression and disturbed sleep, rest assured you're not alone and more importantly, there is help at hand. Here are some coping strategies you can incorporate into your bedtime routine:


Manage Stress:

Stress can often be a major contributor to sleep issues, particularly for individuals battling depression. Heightened stress levels may lead to overthinking, anxiety, and restlessness, all of which can seriously inhibit your ability to fall asleep and maintain a healthy sleep schedule.


Here's what you can do:

  • Create a calming evening routine: We're not talking about just brushing your teeth and going to bed, but rather establishing a comforting routine that starts an hour or two before your scheduled bedtime. This could include activities such as reading, taking a warm bath, or even practicing some gentle yoga.

  • Practice deep breathing exercises: This can be an extraordinarily effective way to reduce stress and prepare your body for sleep. Inhale deeply, holding the breath for a few seconds and then exhale fully and slowly. Repeat this process until you can feel your body starting to relax.

  • Write in a journal: Putting your thoughts on paper can be a great way to get them out of your head, reducing the likelihood of overthinking as you try to drift off to sleep. Journaling can also serve as a form of self-expression, which is often therapeutic for individuals with depression. When you have a lot on your mind, it can be surprisingly challenging to unwind and drift off to sleep. Transition it onto paper and relieve your mind of its constant looping. This is not about writing a masterpiece or coherent thoughts. It doesn't matter if you're scribbling fragments of thoughts, hazy dreams, or expressive poetry. What's important is the act of transferring your thoughts out of your minds and onto physical paper, effectively offloading some of the burden. Why not go a step further and try gratitude journaling before bed? Reflect on your day and pen down three to five positive events or moments that you've experienced. Negativity has a great way of overshadowing positivity. But often, when you intentionally look at your day in retrospect, you'll realize that it wasn't all gloom and doom. There were pockets of joy, however tiny they may be.

Establish a regular sleep schedule:

Depression often acts like an unwelcome houseguest, turning the normalcy of your daily routine upside down. It tends to keep you up late at night and makes getting up in the morning an uphill battle. As you fight depression, it's fundamental to regain control over these two key elements: when you sleep and when you wake up.


Creating a regular sleep schedule sets a predictable pattern for your body to follow. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, yes, even on your days off. This consistency helps regulate your body's internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm, improving your sleep quality. Initially, it might feel restrictive or even impossible. Give it time, adjust slowly, and apply patience, and you'll find, adjusting to a sleep schedule can be your nightly ticket to Dreamland.


Limit naps:

Feelings of depression are often accompanied by extreme fatigue leading you to catch up on sleep whenever you can. Compute it all up, and the midday naps or late afternoon siestas might seem like the logical thing to do. Here's the catch: While short power-naps can invigorate and refresh you, longer, irregular naps can harm your sleep greatly.


Long naps can confuse your internal body clock, leading to a sense of grogginess and disorientation upon waking - a phenomenon known as sleep inertia. Moreover, they can impact your nighttime sleep quality, making it hard to fall asleep when you need to. As a rule of thumb, limit your daytime naps to 20 minutes, and make it early in the afternoon. If you still struggle with nighttime sleep, consider eliminating daytime naps altogether.


Keep in mind, some days will be more challenging than others. Don't beat yourself up if you have a tough night. Just remember to stay consistent, as developing a routine and sticking to it can make a significant difference over time.


Eat Light at Night:

Eating a heavy meal close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep. It's always better to eat light at night and avoid heavy, rich foods within two hours of bed. Fatty or fried foods, spicy dishes, citrus fruits, and carbonated drinks can trigger indigestion for some people and interfere with their quality of sleep.


When it comes to what to include in your nightly meal, complex carbohydrates like whole grains and fresh vegetables should be your go-to. They are known to promote good sleep because they increase the amount of sleep-promoting tryptophan in the blood. Likewise, consuming foods rich in calcium such as dairy, beans, and lentils helps the brain manufacture melatonin, a hormone that controls your sleep and wake cycles. Foods rich in magnesium like almonds and spinach can also enhance sleep quality, especially for those who suffer from insomnia.


Drinking certain types of beverages can also impact your sleep. While alcohol can help you unwind, it interferes with your sleep cycle as soon as the body starts to metabolize it. So, it's best to avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Similarly, it's advisable to cut back on caffeine in the evening. It stimulates your nervous system, making it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep at night.


Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:

Your body should feel relaxed in order to get a good night's sleep. Techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, or guided imagery can help calm your mind and prepare your body for sleep. You don't have to be a master at it, every little bit can make a significant difference.


Depression and sleep problems often co-exist, and the relationship between the two is complex. However, by using these strategies, you're taking steps to improve your overall mood and restore the quality of your sleep. Remember, it's important to be patient, as change often comes gradually. In the meantime, seek professional guidance if your sleep doesn't improve.

Limit screen time before bed:


Screen time, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime, can be incredibly disruptive to your sleep. Why? First and foremost, devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers emit what's known as blue light. This artificial light can trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, slowing down the production of melatonin, the hormone that signals to your body it’s time to sleep.

Limiting your screen time before bed is one effective strategy to keep your natural sleep schedules intact and combat depression-related insomnia. Here's how you could go about it:

  • Establish a technology-free bedtime routine: Designate the hour before sleep as a time just for you to unwind and prepare for bed. You could read a book, listen to calming music, or do some light stretching, for instance.

  • Use screen filters or glasses: If you just can't avoid screens before bed, you can still limit your blue light exposure. There are screen filters or glasses specifically designed for this purpose, and most devices have a built-in night mode.

  • Keep devices out of the bedroom: To ensure you’re not tempted to scroll through your phone or tablet once you’re in bed, keep these devices in a different room.

Remember, breaking habits can be tough. Be patient with yourself as you work on this one. Your sleep quality and mood could improve drastically with less screen time at night. It's all about creating a sleep-friendly environment and establishing good bedtime habits. Be consistent, and over time, you'll see improvements in your sleep and overall mood.


Exercise regularly:

Physical activity increases the body's adenosine levels, a chemical that makes us feel tired. However, exercise also kicks up your adrenaline production which can keep you awake. So, clearly, getting sweaty too close to bedtime might leave you tossing and turning instead of snoozing peacefully.


The ideal time for exercise is in the morning or early afternoon, giving your body plenty of time to wind down before bed.


Not a morning person, you say? Not to worry! If evenings are the best time for you to get active, try some form of relaxation exercises like yoga or simple stretches. These can help prepare the body for sleep by lowering heart rate and reducing stress hormones.


Remember, it's important to balance your exercise routine to ensure it isn't interfering but rather aiding your sleep schedule and overall health.


These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg, though. Different types of exercises and their timing have varied effects on everyone. It's essential to explore and figure out what works best for your body and schedule.


Exercise as a Coping Mechanism for Depression

Regular exercise can have profound effects on depression. It promotes all sorts of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your spirits and make you feel good.


Lastly, don't forget, exercise isn’t just about physical health. It also plays a pivotal role in your mental wellness. Keeping a regular exercise routine can make you feel better about your appearance, boost your confidence, and provide a sense of achievement - all of which can help alleviate feelings of depression. Remember, every step counts toward a healthier and happier life, quite literally!


Seek Professional Help:

If your sleep problems persist or insomnia becomes a regular occurrence, it might be time to seek professional help. Sleep disorders are common among individuals with depression, and addressing them may help alleviate some depressive symptoms.


Psychologists, psychiatrists, or sleep specialists are well-equipped to assist. They may utilize therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which has proved effective in treating both sleep disorders and depression. Don't be shy about reaching out. Remember, there's no shame in seeking help; it's an act of strength and self-care.


In conclusion, depression and sleep issues often go hand in hand, creating a vicious cycle that can be challenging to break. However, understanding the intricate relationship between these two factors is the first step towards managing and improving your sleep quality.

8 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page