If you’ve ever tossed and turned after a stressful day, you probably know that your emotions can affect your sleep. But what about how you sleep? Lately, FYPs have been swarmed by TikTok’s alleging that your sleeping position (that’s where the flamingo of it all comes in) might reflect the state of your nervous system or underlying mental health. TikTok pundits can easily convince you that your sleeping position is a crystal ball into your mental health, capable of diagnosing a variety of disorders or conditions. But, is it really that simple? if you look at diagnostic criteria for mental health problems, poor sleep is almost always on the list. So, when our mood is not in our normal range, we tend to have accompanying issues with sleep. Most commonly, sleep is worse.” Okay, so you’ve had a lousy night’s sleep, and your neck is sore from sleeping weirdly. Should you be concerned? Probably not. In fact, it’s pretty common that we all just sleep terribly once in a while, says Dr. Martin. However, you might experience more sleep troubles depending on your lifestyle, such as if you’re a new parent or a college student pulling all-nighters ahead of midterms, Alzheimer’s and people who primarily sleep on their stomachs or backs, as the brain has to work overtime in those postures to clear out problematic proteins, which can build up and sometimes affect your cognition (or, thinking and processing skills). But that same research says that deteriorating brain health might lead to mental health conditions like depression, not the other way around. Meanwhile, other conditions, like sleep apnea or snoring, most commonly occur when people sleep on their backs. This can influence poorer sleep quality and lead to shifts in mental health. sleeping postures can be linked to specific mental health concerns. “I have not found any well-done science to suggest that your sleeping position somehow is predictive of your personality or your general mood or wellbeing Sleeping in the fetal position has been associated with people who have anxiety and need comfort,” says Dr. Grover. It’s important to note, though, that “having anxiety” may be different than being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, or another anxiety-related condition Regardless of your sleeping position, there are certain methods you can try to enhance the quality of your sleep. For starters, make sure you’re not slugging caffeinated beverages before bedtime. “Avoid caffeine six to eight hours before bedtime,” suggests Dr. Grover. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can keep the nervous system awake. And, while putting away your devices can be useful, pulling up a meditation app that has sleep-specific sessions could also help. “Focusing on the present moment through meditation can help take your mind off whatever is stressing you out, making it easier to drift off. Regular mindfulness practice has been shown to improve sleep over time, Taking slow, deep breaths helps calm your nervous system,” she says. “It signals to your body that it’s safe to relax. Breathing exercises can lower your heart rate and help you fall asleep faster
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Monday, January 20, 2025