Sleep, Stress, and Mental Health: Why Rest is the Key to Feeling Your Best 😴

These days, it feels like sleep is the first thing to go when life gets busy. Whether it's work, social media, or just one more episode of that show, we often sacrifice rest without thinking twice. But sleep isn’t just about feeling less tired—it’s a game-changer for mental health. When we don’t get enough, stress, anxiety, and brain fog creep in. But when we prioritize good sleep, everything from our mood to our focus improves. 🧠

How Sleep Affects Mental Health

Sleep and mental health go hand in hand. A bad night’s sleep can make us feel more stressed, anxious, or down, and mental health struggles can make it harder to sleep. Here’s why sleep matters:

• It Keeps Our Mood in Check – Ever notice how everything feels worse when you’re sleep-deprived? Do you find yourself snapping at others or feeling extra emotional? Lack of sleep can make us irritable, emotional, and more reactive to stress. 😡

• It Helps Us Think Clearly – Do you struggle to concentrate or make simple decisions after a poor night’s sleep? Sleep is crucial for memory, problem-solving, and focus. Without it, we’re more prone to brain fog and forgetfulness. 🤯

• It Reduces Stress – Do you ever wake up feeling like you’re already behind before the day even starts? Sleep gives our brains time to process daily stress. When we don’t get enough, our bodies pump out more cortisol (the stress hormone), making it harder to relax. 😓

• Unresolved Trauma and Sleep – Many people, especially adult children of alcoholics or those from dysfunctional homes, experience difficulty sleeping due to unresolved trauma. Nighttime can be when suppressed memories surface, leading to insomnia, nightmares, or restless sleep. Do you ever find yourself lying awake, unable to quiet your thoughts? 🌙

• It’s Linked to Anxiety and Depression – Chronic sleep issues can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, while mental health struggles can make it even harder to fall asleep. Have you ever noticed that a bad night’s sleep makes everything feel more overwhelming the next day? 😞

EMDR Therapy in Denver

How EMDR Can Help Improve Sleep

For those struggling with past trauma and its impact on sleep, therapy can be incredibly beneficial. Denver attachment therapy can help individuals work through unresolved emotions affecting their sleep. One effective approach is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which helps process traumatic memories that may be subconsciously disrupting sleep. EMDR works by reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, allowing the brain to integrate them in a way that no longer triggers stress responses at night. 🌀

Tips for Better Sleep

If you want to feel your best, making sleep a priority is key. Here are some easy ways to improve your sleep:

1. Stick to a Routine – Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (yes, even on weekends) helps your body know when it’s time to sleep. ⏰

2. Unwind Before Bed – Try reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath to relax before hitting the pillow. 🛁

3. Limit Screen Time – Blue light from phones and TVs messes with melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. 📱🚫

4. Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Haven – Keep it cool, dark, and quiet. A comfy mattress and pillows can also make a huge difference. 🛏️

5. Watch What You Eat and Drink – Caffeine, nicotine, and heavy meals close to bedtime can disrupt sleep. Try to avoid them later in the evening. ☕🚫

6. Stay Active – Regular exercise helps improve sleep quality, but try not to work out too close to bedtime. 🏋️‍♂️

7. Tame Stress and Anxiety – Deep breathing, journaling, or even a few minutes of meditation can help calm your mind before bed. 🧘‍♂️

8. Consider Therapy – If unresolved trauma or persistent negative memories are affecting your sleep, seeking professional support—can be life-changing.

   
   

   
   

Good sleep is one of the easiest (and best) things we can do for our mental health. It helps with focus, mood, and stress management, making everyday life a little easier. If past trauma, stress, or unresolved memories are keeping you up at night, therapies like EMDR can help you process those experiences and improve your sleep quality.

A few small changes—like putting your phone away earlier, seeking therapy, or sticking to a bedtime routine—can make a big difference. So tonight, ask yourself: Are you feeling more impatient, forgetful, or overwhelmed lately? Could better sleep be part of the solution? Try winding down a little earlier and giving yourself the rest you deserve! 🌟

Denver, CO Attachment Trauma Therapist, EMDR, IFS, Attachment Theory

Written by:

Erika Baum, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, LPCC, NCC

EMDR-Trained

Denver, Castle Rock, Englewood, Colorado