John Glanvill • Anxiety Specialist & Researcher • Anxiety • OCD • Bipolar • ADHD • Energy • Online Treatment Course • Sensible Spirituality

Why sleep is so important for your mental health

In this 57-minute video, we explore why (without a doubt) sleep is so important.

The effects of seven to eight hours of deep sleep per night on alleviating anxiety and depression are well-documented and profound.

The common trait that links all people with anxiety and depression is that they are all exhausted. Therefore, the common-sense remedy would seem to be more sleep!

Goal of video

Without a doubt, this is one of the most important videos I have made so far because the effects of seven to eight hours of deep sleep per night on alleviating anxiety and depression are well-documented and profound.

The common trait that links all people with anxiety and depression is that they are all exhausted. Therefore, the common-sense remedy would seem to be more sleep!

But nobody seems to be talking about sleep; people seem to be rushing around more rather than seriously embracing sleep and the well-documented information we know about how best to get it. 

I have used my own experience of moving from an insomniac who hated sleep and had a very dysfunctional relationship with it to a sound sleeper who takes sleep very seriously. It wasn’t easy, but it was worthwhile.

Key messages

This is a massively important video!

Sleep is more vital than you have ever been told – I would urge you to dedicate at least six months to exploring it and recharging your batteries.

It has been proved that more sleep reduces anxiety and depression.

Lack of sleep impairs judgement and biological health.

**Sleep as an Aid to Learning**
The first night’s sleep clears the brain’s short-term memory. You study during the day, and then at night, that short-term memory is converted into long-term memory, allowing the short-term memory to be emptied and ready for the next day—provided you get a full night’s sleep!

I teach you about circadian rhythms and the importance of understanding your chronotype.

We sleep in ninety-minute cycles that gradually transition from being biased toward non-REM (nREM) sleep to being biased toward REM sleep. However, both types of sleep are necessary, and this requires a full night’s sleep.

I also discuss how I became a better sleeper and the effects of caffeine and alcohol on sleep.

Things to do if you are awake at night.