Having a newborn in the house or being a parent in general is not always an easy task. Being a parent means being hands on and making sure that everyone is set and ready for the day. However, this means that your sleep or alone time is deprived which could lead to mental health issues and an unhappy household.
Sleep deprivation, or not getting sufficient sleep, extracts a toll on all of us in terms of mood, health, safety, and even longevity in all of us.
Healthline states that “sleep and mood are very closely related, and mounting evidence suggests that the fewer Zzz’s you get, the more likely you are to have a mood disorder.”
Studies show that people with insomnia are significantly more likely to have depression compared to those who get enough sleep.
Lack of sleep can also affect new parents in several ways such as postpartum depression which is a moderate to severe depression in mothers within three months of giving birth. According to research this disorder affects 8 to 13% of new mothers . Poor sleep is highly associated with anxiety in new mothers.
The lack of sleep can also affect the ability of parents to be positive parents for their children. Positive parenting involves being responsive and warm toward your child.
Research shows that caregivers who sleep less experience higher levels of stress. Higher levels of stress are associated with difficulty regulating emotions. This difficulty may help explain why caregivers who have less or fragmented sleep, or who take longer to fall asleep, show less positive parenting in the hour before their child’s bedtime than caregivers who get more sleep.
Here are a few consequences of sleep deprivation that are particularly important for parents to be aware of According to the Sleep Foundation:
- Irritability: Under conditions of insufficient sleep, you may be more irritable, anxious, or likely to lash out at friends, co-workers or spouses and other loved ones.
- Anxiety and depression: Without sufficient sleep, we are at greater risk for negative moods, anxiety and depression. If you experience symptoms of poor mental health, consider speaking to your healthcare provider.
- Accidents and injuries: Without sufficient sleep, we are at greater risk for longer reaction times, which can increase risk of accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes. Try to avoid driving or operating other machinery when you are sleep deprived.
Also see: Sleeping hacks you should try
