We all know that groggy, cranky feeling after a rotten night’s sleep - everything feels harder, and petty annoyances get blown out of all proportion.

That’s because sleep isn’t simply about recharging your batteries – it’s essential for keeping your mind happy, balanced, and resilient.

So, in honour of World Sleep Day, let’s talk about why getting enough shut-eye is one of the best, not to mention easiest, things you can do for your mental health.

More sleep means less stress

When you’re well-rested, life’s little hiccups don’t feel like major disasters. Sleep helps keep stress in check, meaning you can tackle bumps in the road with a clearer head.

Snooze your way to being a better friend

When you’re well-rested, you’re more patient, more engaged, and actually want to spend time with people - rather than just counting down the minutes until you can go home and nap. Go to bed early and bid goodbye to grumpiness.

Bedtime for balanced hormones

Skimping on rest can make your levels of feel-good chemicals  - serotonin and dopamine - drop, and cause stress hormones like cortisol spike. This can leave you feeling exhausted, on edge, and hungrier than usual. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule helps keep everything in balance.

Banish random mood swings

Lack of sleep messes with your brain’s ability to regulate emotions, making you more prone to irritability, frustration, and even sadness, and potentially making existing mental health struggles even harder. Getting enough kip helps keep your mood on an even keel.

Prioritising sleep isn’t lazy - it’s an act of self-care fuelling everything from your mood to your motivation. Give yourself permission to rest this World Sleep Day - your mind (and mood) will thank you.

If you need a little extra help nodding off, SilverCloud programme ‘Space for Sleep’ can help. It’s an online, self-help programme based on cognitive behavioural therapy. Anyone aged 16+ can self-refer. Work through the course in your own time on any mobile device in the comfort of your own home – and think, feel and sleep better.

Find out more and sign up here: https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/

Published: 14/03/2025