Many of us agree that sleep is wonderful. Whether this is personal opinion or therapeutic guidance may depend on the context. A recent study is placing more benefits on the ever growing list of why sleep is important. Specifically, the study linked sleep and gratitude, resilience, and overall well-being.
Many of us could say this without a study (looking at those of us who simply love a healthy power nap in our personal lives). Afterall, it is easier to go about our days if we aren’t sleep deprived. What makes this study stand out is the identification of behavioral changes that occurred based on sleep. Specifically, participants with healthier sleep patterns expressed more gratitude than others (for example, gratitude journaling).
Meta analyses of sleep studies compile evidence for improved mental health symptoms including anxiety, depression, psychosis, stress, and rumination. Additional recommendations are to treat sleep as a separate but contributing factor to mental health treatment from a psychiatric perspective.
Current treatment methods include CBTi and medication. So with the evidence stacking up, it is good to have therapist resources that help clients develop healthier sleeping habits.
For many clients, sleep may not be super high on the priority list. There are plenty of reasons why this might be. But with consistent evidence for the benefit of sleep on both physical and mental health, it may be important to help clients build a sleep hygiene schedule. bridge has therapist resources and information for clients for understanding sleep and sleep functions.
Now that evidence has expanded beyond outcomes for specific mental health conditions and has expanded to general mental health, sleep has become more of a therapeutic tool than ever. The link between sleep and resilience, general well-being, and gratitude may well be just the beginning.
