Why I include sleep as an essential component for my counseling and fitness clients …

When I was a kid, I never took a nap. I thoroughly disliked the idea of going to sleep during the day because I was sure I would miss out on something, there was just too many things I could be doing other than sleep!

Since then, I’ve learned much more about the value of sleep, key being that sleep isn’t just important for every aspect of human well-being (mental, emotional, physical, and brain health, even our spiritual well-being), it is essential for optimal health.

Those last two words — “optimal health” — are routinely taken by many as their loophole for dismissing, or at least diminishing, the reality that sleep is truly essential for our well-being. That’s because some people say to themselves they’re satisfied with a certain level of health that’s less than optimal as long as it isn’t bad health, completely missing the fact that long-term sleep deprivation can lead to bad health!

Good sleep habits/patterns are certainly important for — have great impact on — mental and emotional health, physical fitness, brain health, and our spiritual well-being, all areas I work in with clients around the world. So, let’s look at some reasons why sleep is important for our mental health, emotional health, brain health, physical fitness:

Mental Health:
Sleep is crucial for maintaining optimal mental health. It helps regulate mood, manage stress, and improve cognitive functions. Sleep deprivation can lead to mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. During deep sleep stages, the brain processes emotions and consolidates memories, contributing to emotional stability and overall mental well-being.

Emotional Health:
Adequate sleep is closely tied to emotional health. When you’re well-rested, you’re better able to manage your emotions. Lack of sleep can lead to increased irritability, heightened emotional reactivity, and a decreased ability to cope with stress. Emotional regulation and resilience are compromised when you don’t get enough sleep.

Brain Health:
The brain requires sleep to repair and regenerate. During deep sleep, the brain clears out waste products and consolidates memories. Sleep also supports cognitive functions, problem-solving, and creativity. Chronic sleep deprivation can impair cognitive abilities, increase risk of neurodegenerative diseases, and hinder overall brain health.

Physical Fitness:
Sleep plays a crucial role in physical recovery and performance. During deep sleep, the body repairs and builds muscles, and important hormones like growth hormone are released. Inadequate sleep can lead to decreased physical endurance, impaired recovery after exercise, and an increased risk of injuries due to reduced coordination and reaction times.

Less than optimal health in any of the above impacts our spiritual well-being, just as we know as Christians that poor spiritual health impacts our whole selves, including our minds, emotions, and physical bodies.

Even in 2023, there are mature adults who still like to spout the motto “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” as an ill-informed excuse to make sleep deprivation a lifestyle, to their detriment. It’s well-known that the consequences of adopting sleep deprivation as a lifestyle, otherwise known as long-term sleep deprivation, include:

• • Cognitive impairment, affecting memory, attention, and decision-making abilities.
  • Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of various physical and mental health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mood disorders.
  • Prolonged sleep deprivation can result in a weakened immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

Sometimes, helping people change their lives means helping them assess their perspective about the value of sleep and changing their habits and patterns to get the sleep they need for their overall well-being.

Scotty