Dissatisfied with Life? It Might be Due to Lack of Sleep

Do you find that you’re not as satisfied with your life as you used to be? Are you even perhaps thinking you might be on the verge of depression? Well, before you turn to medications to address your problem, you might want to consider a natural solution you can take charge of yourself: better sleep habits. According to a new study, life dissatisfaction may actually be caused by bad sleep habits. Keep reading to find out more information on this discovery. . .


According to a study on twins in Finland, life dissatisfaction may actually be caused by bad sleep habits. The study took a look at twins (with essentially the same genetic makeup) and the results indicated that those who had the most life satisfaction reported better sleep patterns during childhood and early adulthood.

The study was done at the Public Health Institute in Helsinki and concluded that even those who have the same genetic makeup can have a different outcome when it comes to depression and life satisfaction, largely due to early sleeping habits. 

The Details of The Study
The study took a look at over 18,000 twins of the same sex (some fraternal and some identical) over a six-year time period. All of the twins in the study were younger than the age of 30. A portion of the group (those who reported less satisfaction with their lives) was put on a sleeping regimen designed to improve sleep quality.

At the end of the study, those who followed the improved sleeping regimen recommended by the clinic were 2.4 times more likely to have a better outlook on life. This was found to be the case even with identical twins. 

The findings of the study are not shocking to those who study sleep habits. Sleep deprivation is said to cause a number of different illnesses. Recent studies of those who work at night and do not get enough sunlight or sleep on a regular schedule indicate that they are at greater risk for disease, including cancer. 

Depression is often linked to poor sleep, although most medical research will blame poor sleeping habits such as too much sleeping or insomnia, to the illness of depression rather than the other way around. The study done in Helsinki indicates that perhaps the link is two fold. 

Of the twins who participated in the study, nine percent initially reported that they were not satisfied with their lives. Critics of the study state that there was not enough of a sampling to make an accurate link between poor sleep quality and dissatisfaction of life. But those who study depression and sleep habits are quick to point out that the two have been known to go hand in hand.

The Helsinki case is one of several sleep disorder studies being conducted throughout the world that links sleep disorders to ailments both physical and mental. If you have trouble sleeping for more than a week, you should consult a doctor or other healthcare provider regarding your insomnia. In many cases, it is the result of a stress factor in your life. But, as this study indicates the possibility of poor sleeping patterns leading to a poor quality of life, it is more important than ever for you to develop quality sleeping habits for good health.

Some drug-free natural options for better sleep include cognitive behavior therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, or acupuncture. Natural supplements such as melatonin can also be helpful and can be found at your local health food store or online.