"Sleep deprivation can impact our mental health," Rothstein told HelloGiggles. "Depression can be exacerbated by insufficient sleep or insomnia. Sleep disorders left untreated, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and others, leave a person at risk for compromised mental health."
"For example," Rothstein explained, "recommendations for when to nap or not, when to stop caffeine, and when not to consume alcohol in relation to bedtime are important considerations for everyone, but for those with anxiety or depression, there may be specific protocols prescribed by your physician so as not to worsen your symptoms."
Rothstein told us that her #1 hack for falling asleep faster is turning off technology an hour before bedtime. This helps to transition a person into a peaceful sleep. She explained that these devices not only stimulate our brains, but they emit blue light that actually inhibits the release of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep cycle.
Work harder.
Work hard.