Sleep + mental health
One of the first topics I touch on when beginning with a new client is sleep. In our modern society, we are encouraged to hustle, and get as much accomplished as humanly possible each and every day. Sleep can often feel like an afterthought and even a luxury at times. Add in being a parent to young kids and the question of “how are you sleeping?” is often laughable. Be that as it may, as your therapist, I’m still going to advocate for and support you in finding ways to get as much quality sleep as possible in whatever season of life you might find yourself in. Too little sleep and/or poor quality sleep negatively impacts the communication between the amygdala (involved in processing emotions) and the prefrontal cortex (involved in emotional regulation).
When this happens, we find it more difficult to manage our emotions effectively. In addition to emotional management, sleep also impacts mental health disorders. One example being, a person struggling with anxiety can oftentimes really struggle when it comes to falling asleep, and insomnia almost always makes anxiety symptoms worse, creating a negative feedback loop. I know that’s a total buzzkill, and not a feel-good message.
You might be wondering by now why I’m going on and on about sleep in the “Wise Womxn Walk” segment? Well, my friend… research shows that walking has a positive impact on our sleep. When we walk regularly, it helps to regulate our sleep patterns, and the quality of our sleep is directly correlated to our mental wellness. The benefits of walking on our mental health are too many to list, but it’s been fun scratching the surface of this with you all and I’m excited to share more with you next week. Cheers!
Interested in taking your therapy outside? Kari is accepting new clients in Stillwater, St. Paul, and Chisago City! Reach out if you’d like more deats!