Quality sleep and mental health resilience during COVID-19 – 5 lifestyle tips to get better sleep

• The importance of sleep for the efficient functioning of the human body is not unknown to people. Several studies over the years have emphasised the significance of sleep and the role it plays in the regulation of healthy physical and mental health in humans.

• Inability or insufficiency of sleep has been associated with the risk of developing health conditions that can be both physical and mentally such as insomnia, sleep apnea, depression, schizophrenia, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

COVID-19, sleep, and mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption in the lifestyles of people across the world. The abrupt changes required accommodation which led to disturbed sleep schedules, mental health, and productivity levels of people. According to a recent peer-reviewed study published in medRxiv titled “Prior sleep-wake behaviour predicts mental health resilience among adults in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic”, a better insight into the effect of COVID-19 on mental health was provided. This paper highlights the better mental health resilience among people who were able to get the required 6 to 8 hours of sleep. Those who did not were identified as individuals who are more

Lifestyle and sleep

Here are some tips you can follow to alter your lifestyle and accommodate a healthy sleep schedule:

1. Avoid consuming caffeine in any form late in the evening or before going to bed. It can cause the brain to get alerted and result in sleeping problems.

2. Avoid using blue screens before bedtime. Install a nightlight application on your devices to prevent this from happening.

3. Indulge in yoga, meditation, and other forms of exercise that can help keep the body and mind calm and relaxed.

4. No one likes to sleep with an upset stomach. Consume a diet rich in nutrients as it can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome which can contribute directly to undisturbed and quality sleep.

5. Regulate your personal and work life to fit at least 6-8 hours of sleep in your schedule. This amount is the recommended amount of healthy sleeping hours.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.