Sleep, a great ally of mental health

White January raises awareness for mental health The social movement dedicated to building a culture of mental health for humanity - White January - has this year's campaign: "Life asks for balance." The proposal is for the population to seek balance, especially after so many challenges, balancing obligations, fatigue and motivation, rest and work, etc. According to sleep medicine specialist Jessica Polese, one of the factors closely linked to the preservation of mental health is sleep. "A good night's sleep with adequate quality and duration preserves human mental health," says the doctor. It has been proven that those who suffer from insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, and constant early awakenings can develop anxiety and even depression. "In addition, sleep disorders can cause vulnerability to viral infections, oxidative/inflammatory imbalance, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, among others," says Jessica. When we sleep, the brain strengthens positive emotions and weakens negative ones. The doctor emphasizes that psychiatric and sleep problems directly affect well-being and productivity, resulting in significant individual and collective losses. To combat this and maintain good mental health, it is ideal to keep good sleep hygiene, which involves following a routine for bedtime, avoiding screens close to bedtime (computer, TV, cell phone, tablet), trying to relax, reading a book, having a tea, disconnecting to start your sleep. "And also paying attention to your daily life, following a healthy diet, exercising so that all actions reflect in a good night's sleep," she highlights. The specialist also warns that there is a need for public awareness about the necessity of seeking professional help to mitigate suffering and illness in the population.