Night always follows day, but no two nights are the same. Just as our smartphones, tablets and laptops need to be recharged, our sleep allows us to recharge or reset our brain to help it perform at its best.
Sleep well, feel well
In addition to our personal development and physical health, and although there are variations based on age, genetics and other chronotype factors, getting seven to nine hours’ sleep per night is essential for our mental health. Sleep clearly has an impact on our well-being, mood regulation and cognitive functioning (learning, memory, attention, concentration, decision-making, etc.).
Sleep in decline
A decline in sleep time has recently been observed in the general adult population in France. A high proportion of French people sleep less than six hours each night or are sleep-deprived or restrict their sleeping time. According to a study of 22,330 adults in 13 countries on four different continents, published in autumn 2021, one in three participants had some symptoms of insomnia, and almost 20% suffered from insomnia. These rates were higher following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Adverse effects on our mental health
Not enough sleep and/or poor-quality sleep are associated with a number of short- and long-term psychological and psychiatric consequences. Our negative emotional responses to stressors are increased and the range of our positive emotions is reduced. Healthy people may experience increased levels of anxiety and mental distress after a poor night’s sleep. While insomnia can be a symptom of psychiatric illness, it is now recognised that chronic sleep problems can also contribute to the development or worsening of various mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviour and addictions.
Numerous studies have identified insomnia as an independent risk factor for the development of emerging or recurrent depression in young, middle-aged and older adults. This link between sleep disturbances and depression should be seen as a two-way street. This means that sleep problems should no longer be seen as a simple by-product of depression, but as a potential early-warning symptom of mood disorders. Likewise, the association between substance use and sleep problems appears to work both ways. Sleep problems increase the risk of developing addictive disorders, and the use of alcohol and/or substances leads to sleep disorders (insomnia, chronic insomnia, hypersomnia).
Whatever the case, it appears to be crucial to identify and treat any sleep problems in order to reduce the severity of psychiatric and addictive disorders.
This article is extracted from one of the seven files of the Health Observatory PRO BTP; Sleep. You will find other resources related to this study file here. PRO BTP has created the Health Observatory to support those who wish to take an active role in their well-being: understanding, preventing, and taking action on their health in everyday life. Chronicles, interviews, podcasts, videos... in partnership with a network of recognized experts and major national media, the observatory provides you with keys to understanding, practical advice, and concrete and innovative solutions, addressing a significant health topic each month. Selected for their importance to the French public, the topics are rigorously addressed by a scientific committee, recognized health experts and professionals, specialized journalists, to provide you with reliable and useful information in your daily life.
