Vital for general health and wellbeing, sleep also makes us more alert and energetic and is essential for cognitive skills such as speech, memory and innovation.

Sleep and mood are very closely connected as sleep is a major contributing factor to mood. Moods are emotional and temporary states of mind which can influence behaviour. These states can last for a few minutes or several weeks.

People suffering from lack of sleep are more likely to feel as though they are in a bad mood, than those who get enough sleep.

Read on to discover how sleep can alter your moods:

Feeling Irritable and angry

Research has shown that when people are sleep-deprived, they feel more irritable and angry.

A study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that awakening several times throughout the night was more detrimental to people’s positive moods than getting the same shortened amount of sleep without interruption.

People who are sleep-deprived also report feeling less friendly, empathetic and having a lower positive mood.

In one study by Zohar et al, people who were more sleep deprived did not report increased positive affect after an achievement, whereas people who’d had an adequate amount of sleep did feel better afterwards.

Depressed?

When there is an imbalance of the chemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain, they can have a direct effect on sleep and energy. Melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone, is created from serotonin. If that doesn’t happen it affects your ability to fall and stay asleep. You may need medication to get your serotonin levels back up to normal, so you can sleep better.

Feeling groggy?

A lack of sleep can cause you to feel a sense of grogginess. You don’t need to fall asleep at the wheel to be a danger as drowsiness is the equivalent of drink-driving.

When fatigued, you’re also unable to control the muscles in your eyes as well, which can lead to a sense of imbalance.

However, getting too much sleep can have sometimes this effect as well!

Spark of creativity

Getting a good amount of sleep can make you feel more creative! In addition to consolidating memories, or making them stronger, your brain appears to reorganise and restructure them, which may spur the creative process.

Getting enough sleep doesn’t guarantee a sunny disposition but when you’re fatigued, you’re more likely to be cranky. When you’re overtired, you’re more likely to snap at your boss, or burst into tears – or even laughter!

If you feel like your sleep is suffering contact The Odd Mattress Company’s team to help you pinpoint the best mattress for you to get a good night’s sleep.

Tips to get a better night’s sleep

Tossing and turning at night time is unpleasant and can add to those bad moods, so follow these simple tips so that you can get a better night’s sleep:

  1. Your bedroom should be free of clutter and as dark as possible – give yourself the best chance of quality sleep by ensuring that your melatonin is not being decreased because of light sneaking in.
  1. Don’t charge your mobile next to the bed – the light will distract you if someone texts or calls after you have gone to bed.
  1. Look for bedding made from organic materials, free from dyes and toxins, especially if you have sensitive skin.

If you suspect that your quality of sleep is being impacted by your current mattress, our experts can help you choose from a wide variety of mattresses of all shapes and sizes, intended to give you the perfect environment for restful sleep