At some point in our lives, most of us have been told we “woke up on the wrong side of the bed” after starting our day in a bad mood. Sleep plays a role in not only our day-to-day mood but our mental health overall.

Sleep issues have been linked to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders. When we don’t get enough sleep or quality sleep, our brain doesn’t have a chance to recharge and reset, which over long periods of time can lead to mental health issues.

On the flip side, mental health issues can also contribute to sleep issues, so finding a balance can be challenging if both are impacting each other. Some ways you can improve your sleep habits include having a set bedtime, winding down before bed, getting regular exercise, avoiding caffeine too late in the day, and putting away electronics before bed.

Did you know that 6 hours after you consume caffeine that half of it is still in your body? It’s tempting to have a cup of coffee when you hit an afternoon slump, but it’s important to remember that the caffeine you consume in the afternoon could negatively impact your sleep later.

Trivia question: What is a safe amount of caffeine for most adults to drink per day?

Submit your answer below for a chance to win a Riverside Sleep Center sleep mask and other goodies!

Did you know that deep sleep “cleans” your brain?

A study done at Boston University looked at how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows through the brain during sleep. The researchers found that CSF may be flushing out toxic waste in the brain. This means that if you’re not getting enough deep sleep, your brain may not have the opportunity to flush out toxins.

What percent of the night should you be spending in deep sleep?

Submit your trivia answer below for the chance to win a Riverside Sleep Center sleep mask and other goodies!

And don’t forget to keep participating in the Good Night, Sleep Right challenge in Reach!

Did you know that when you don’t get enough sleep, your brain starts to eat itself?

According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, when you are sleep deprived your brain starts to feed off of neurons and synapses, which in the long term could be harmful. Chronic lack of sleep can be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders.

About 40 percent of Americans are getting six or fewer hours of sleep each night, which is not enough, according to the CDC.

How many hours of sleep should the average adult be getting?

Submit your answer below for a chance to win a prize!

Don’t forget to keep participating in the Good Night, Sleep Right Challenge through Reach!