How does psychosomatics affect sleep?

Psychosomatics refers to the relationship between the mind and the body, which involves the mutual influence of emotional and psychological states on the physical functioning of the organism. Sleep, on the other hand, is an important regenerative process that helps maintain health and well-being.

Psychosomatic disorders are a group of conditions that have both psychological and physical origins. Although their causes are not fully understood, it is known that the connections between the mind and the body play a crucial role. Learn about their impact on human functioning and how to overcome psychosomatics to live a healthy and comfortable life.

Psychosomatics is a scientific field that explores the connections between the mind and body, focusing on the impact of emotional and psychological states on the physical functioning of the organism. This approach recognizes that our emotions, thoughts, and feelings can have a direct influence on physical health, leading to various symptoms and disorders. It aligns with the increasingly popular holistic view of health, which acknowledges that the body and mind are inseparably interconnected. It is also related to the biopsychosocial approach, which adds a social element to psychosomatics.

 

 

Furthermore, psychosomatics is particularly relevant in the context of sleep, which is a crucial restorative process for our health and well-being. There is a complex, bidirectional relationship between psychosomatic factors and sleep. Due to this comprehensive mind-body relationship, psychosomatics directly affects the quality and structure of sleep.

 

As described by Mateusz Nesterok, M.Sc., a collaborator with ONSEN® as a health and rehabilitation psychologist, various unpleasant emotions, as well as associated stress and anxieties (including those unconscious), directly impact sleep quality, causing difficulties with falling asleep and maintaining sleep. Individuals who experience intense stress or anxiety often struggle with quieting their minds before sleep, which can lead to insomnia or disrupted sleep quality. Consequently, emotions that are part of psychological experiences also have a direct impact on physical experiences, including sleep quality.

Moreover, physical conditions such as headaches, stomachaches, or sleep apnea, and other breathing-related difficulties, can be triggered or exacerbated by psychological factors. This applies to orthopedic and neurological ailments as well, including the commonly discussed reduced cervical lordosis and other spinal disorders. This is particularly noticeable at night when the body tries to regenerate during sleep. The influence of emotions on the body can affect sleep comfort and lead to more frequent waking up at night.

Psychosomatic mechanisms are complex processes that illustrate how much our emotions, thoughts, and experiences influence physical health. In simple terms, psychosomatics describes the mind-body connection, but in reality, it is much more intricate and encompasses various processes, systems, and mechanisms.

At a basic level, psychosomatic mechanisms work through the nervous system and hormones. All the emotions and thoughts we experience impact these systems, leading to physiological changes in our bodies. For example, when we are stressed, our brain sends signals to the nervous system, which in turn affects our body, causing reactions such as increased heart rate, elevated blood sugar levels, and even unfavorable changes in the immune system.

Emotions, especially difficult or prolonged ones, as well as associated stress, anxiety, or depression, can cause a range of serious health disorders if not properly managed. This may include conditions such as headaches, digestive issues, and high blood pressure, as well as conditions like stomach ulcers or heart diseases. Psychosomatic mechanisms are also responsible for psychosomatic illnesses that are not always apparent. Among them are irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia, which have unclear etiology but are strongly linked to emotional and psychological factors, similar to atopic dermatitis.

Interestingly, psychosomatic mechanisms can also work in the opposite direction, influencing thoughts and emotions through the body. An example of this is individuals suffering from chronic physical ailments who experience depression or anxiety as a result. This often stems from chronic pain or the inability to perform daily activities.

All of this illustrates the importance of a holistic approach to health that considers both the body and mind. While medicine often focuses on the physical aspect of health, there is mounting evidence that our emotions, thoughts, and experiences have a tremendous, if not key impact on functioning. Therefore, understanding and managing psychosomatic mechanisms is fundamental to maintaining good health.

Sleep quality is an essential aspect of our health, but it can be disrupted by various factors, including stress and emotions. Many individuals experience sleep problems related to stress, anxiety, depression, and a range of unpleasant emotions. Therefore, understanding how these factors impact sleep is crucial for maintaining good health and well-being.

Stress is one of the most common factors that disrupt sleep. The principle behind it is quite simple. When we are stressed, our brain and body are in a heightened state of alertness, which makes it difficult to fall asleep and maintain restful sleep. Stress hormones, such as cortisol, can disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycle, directly causing insomnia or fragmented sleep.

Emotions, especially intense or unpleasant ones, are the most common cause of disrupted sleep structure. Associated with it, anxiety, sadness, anger, or frustration also hinder falling asleep and lead to frequent awakenings during the night. On the other hand, pleasant emotions bring calmness and tranquility, thus improving sleep quality.

Likely the strongest emotional factor influencing sleep is mood disorders and anxiety disorders. In recent years, there has been an increased number of cases of depression, whose symptoms are extremely unpleasant and can result in somatic health disturbances. It is also associated with insomnia or excessive sleepiness, directly demonstrating the role of psychosomatics.

However, it is a bidirectional process that is complex in its essence. Just as stress and unpleasant emotions disrupt sleep, sleep difficulties increase the level of stress and unpleasant emotions. Lack of sleep can lead to increased tension, irritability, and negative thinking, which, in turn, can lead to further sleep difficulties. In this way, we fall into a vicious cycle where one condition fuels the other.

Dreams are an integral part of life, and various scientific studies increasingly indicate the significant role of dream experiences in the context of psychosomatics. Dreams are important because they often reflect our emotions, thoughts, fears, and desires that may not always be apparent when we are awake. They can reveal content that resides in the unconscious mind, also known as the subconscious. Therefore, interpreting these signals is incredibly helpful in understanding our well-being and health.

When it comes to dream interpretation, it's important to remember that dreams are not unambiguous. Each person is unique and has their own experiences that influence their dreams. Therefore, a dream that may signify stress or anxiety for one person may have a completely different meaning for another. There is no single dictionary-like interpretation of dreams, and any dream dictionaries should be considered merely as curiosities.

However, there are several typical dream themes that often occur in individuals experiencing stress or anxiety. These include dreams of falling, being chased, or attacked, which are often associated with unpleasant emotions. Such dreams may indicate that a person is experiencing high tension or stress in their daily life, which can impact their psychosomatic health.

Other dreams may directly reflect a person's physical health status. Individuals suffering from chronic pain may have dreams where they also experience pain. Such dreams can be related to the physical discomfort that person is experiencing, but they can also indicate the individual's difficulty coping with pain on an emotional level.

Dreams can also be subtle reflections of psychological difficulties and emotions. It happens that individuals suffering from depression often have unpleasant dreams about death or loss. These dreams can reflect feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, or sadness that are characteristic of depression.

When undertaking dream analysis, it is crucial to focus on personal feelings, thoughts, and experiences that emerge during the dream. Consider what emotions accompany you in a particular dream, which elements of the dream seem most important, and how they may be connected to your everyday life. Dreams are rarely literal reflections of thoughts and emotions. Sometimes they can be symbolic, and their true meaning may be hidden or obscure. In such cases, the assistance of a psychologist is truly necessary.

Dreams can indeed be an important tool in understanding our emotions and state of health. However, dream interpretation is complex and generally requires the assistance of a psychologist. Remember that dreams are highly personal and unique to each individual, so relying solely on general interpretations is not advisable. It's best to approach dreams with a certain openness and detachment, not treating them as absolute truths but rather as valuable guidelines that influence our experiences.

Emotional management is an integral part of our mental health. This skill is more developed in individuals who have self-awareness and maintain a certain self-criticism regarding their behaviors. Learning how to consciously manage emotions allows us to better cope with stress, which in turn translates into maintaining positive social relationships and an overall sense of well-being and happiness.

When cultivating this competence, it is crucial to start with learning to recognize and name our own emotions. This is also related to developing mentalization, which enables us to correctly interpret the emotions of others. This may seem simple, but many individuals struggle with identifying and expressing what they truly feel. By being able to identify emotions, we are better positioned to understand what triggers them and how we react to them.

It is also essential to accept our emotions rather than trying to ignore or suppress them. All emotions, both pleasant and unpleasant, are a natural part of the human experience and are essential. Even unpleasant emotions such as sadness, anger, or fear have their own value because they often signal that something in our lives requires attention. Therefore, accepting emotions instead of denying them allows for a deeper and better understanding of oneself and one's needs. It's worth noting that every emotion is necessary, so they should not be categorized as positive or negative.

Managing emotions as a skill also requires developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress and dealing with unpleasant emotions. This can involve various strategies such as meditation, physical exercise, or relaxation techniques. It is important to find the right strategy that works individually since not every technique will be effective for everyone.

Another key element of effective emotional management is communication. It is not a secret that having the ability to express our feelings in a healthy and non-violent way is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships and inner peace. Keeping an emotional journal and openly discussing our emotions with trusted individuals can be helpful in this regard.

Also, remember that emotional management is a process. It may require time and practice, but it becomes easier over time. And above all, it is important to be kind to yourself throughout its duration. Each of us is a constantly learning individual, and it is impossible to have everything under control all the time.

The holistic approach is increasingly being recognized in medicine, psychology, education, and business. Some may dismiss it as a whim or a trend, but there is growing recognition that it is actually necessary for effective management of health and well-being.

Rooted in the biopsychosocial perspective, the holistic approach acknowledges that the fundamental aspects of human existence - physical, emotional, and social - are interconnected and influence each other. Instead of focusing on a single aspect, it is important to always consider the whole person as an interconnected entity that cannot be divided into parts.

In medicine and psychology, the holistic approach goes beyond treating physical symptoms of illness and takes into account the impact of emotions, stress, lifestyle, and relationships on a patient's health. This leads to more effective therapeutic interventions as it considers the full context of the patient's experiences.

Considering the complexity of the world and ourselves, the holistic approach offers more comprehensive and effective solutions to a wide range of challenges we face on a daily basis. Therefore, the holistic approach to comfort and health is also reflected in the products of the Polish brand ONSEN®, as well as in our overall company philosophy.

In business, the holistic approach means considering the impact of a company on the community, natural environment, and well-being of employees, rather than solely focusing on profits. Companies that adopt a holistic approach often gain reputation and customer loyalty from those who value social responsibility. It is also associated with the concept of the infinity game, which we apply every day.

An excellent example of applying the holistic approach in the realm of sleep and health is our Osaka Air mattress, which was created following the design thinking methodology. The concept of this product goes beyond providing an extremely comfortable sleeping surface and considers the mattress's impact on the well-being and health of the user, starting from physical comfort to significant improvements in sleep quality and even positive effects on mental health.

This universal mattress is designed to address the user's needs and provide the most optimal solutions to their specific issues. At a physical level, it is designed to offer ideal support for the body during sleep. This is important because improper support often leads to pain and discomfort and, in the long run, can contribute to health problems such as frequent back pain or postural issues.

When creating the mattress, we also considered its impact on sleep and mental health. Quality sleep is crucial for overall health as it helps regulate emotions and improves concentration and overall mental well-being. Therefore, by providing comfort and improving sleep quality, our mattress contributes to a noticeable improvement in users' mental health. Additionally, it allows for optimal air circulation to help maintain an optimal sleeping temperature by dissipating excess heat and moisture from the mattress.

It is also worth noting that this is an eco-friendly mattress that we have minimized its impact on the planet to contribute maximally to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The quality and durability of this mattress, appreciated by thousands of people, give us confidence to provide a 15-year warranty. Additionally, you can return it for free within 100 days, allowing you to test the mattress in the comfort of your own bedroom.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.