Newstone Behavioral Health

Understanding The Close Relationship Between Depression And Insomnia

Anyone with difficulty sleeping knows how it affects their energy, mood, and brain power, even if only temporarily. It’s not hard to imagine how persistent insomnia could lead to all-out depression.

Depression notoriously disrupts sleep. Sometimes, people with depression sleep too much, but they’re just as likely to have insomnia and struggle to get a good night’s sleep.

The close relationship that depression and insomnia share makes both conditions worse and can lead to mistaking one for the other — challenges you can overcome with help from Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, and her team at Newstone Behavioral Health.

You can depend on Dr. Iwuamadi’s experience and expertise in both conditions. She manages your symptoms, accurately diagnoses one or both, and provides personalized care that restores your mental well-being.

In our next post, we will be explaining how the two conditions are connected.

Contact us at 469-463-0036 or [email protected]

Tips for Developing a Self-Care Routine for Students
As the new school calendar begins, students will face the pressure of coping with academic demands and environmental changes.
Prioritizing your self-care routine is crucial for mental health students to ensure their mental and emotional well-being.

Here are some effective tips to help you create a self-care routine that works for you: Firstly, allocate some time for yourself daily. It could be in the morning, afternoon, or evening, but make sure it's solely for you. Utilize this time to do something that makes you happy, such as reading a book, taking a walk, or engaging in a hobby.

Secondly, practice mindfulness by being present now and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without criticism. You can achieve this through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply focusing on your breath for a few minutes.

Thirdly, exercise regularly to boost your mood and reduce stress. Find a form of exercise you enjoy, such as running, yoga, or dancing, and make it a regular part of your routine. Fourthly, social support is essential for mental health, so make time to connect with friends and family in person or virtually. Feel free to seek support when you need it.

Lastly, sleep plays a significant role in mental health, so aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night and establish a regular sleep routine to assist you in obtaining the rest you require. Remember, self-care isn't selfish. Taking care of yourself is essential to your mental and emotional well-being and can help you be more productive and focused on your studies.

By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can develop a self-care practice that supports your mental health as a student. Seek mental health services from trusted professionals, and in the case of intruding thoughts or suicidal ideation, seek immediate help or call 911.

Newstone Behavioral Health Evidence-based treatment with measurable clinical outcomes so that we can provide high-quality patien

Coping with the Stress and Anxiety of the Season
As humans, we live in seasons and times, all of which have corresponding ramifications for the physical, emotional, social, economic, and spiritual well-being of individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole. So how does one respond or adjust to dynamics and changes taking place within and around?
As we approach the end of the year, the festive seasons of thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year are upon us. They are times of joyful celebrations that bring families and friends together. Unfortunately, the period can also be stressful due to the following reasons:
1. People may experience loneliness due to the loss of loved ones. Loneliness may result from losing a relationship through divorce or strained relationships. The results may be grief and sadness. Those affected will need to seek emotional and spiritual support.
2. Tension in family relationships due to sibling rivalry, unwelcome in-laws, political, ideological, or social affiliations. Family members must be sensitive to the feelings of others. This sensitivity will require self-awareness and supervision that encourages respect for others.
3. Financial demands to meet the season's needs like buying gifts, traveling, cooking, and hosting dinner parties. Inability to cope with the requests can be interpreted as stinginess, non conforming, which may attract scorn, shame, or humiliation. Be contented with what you have and avoid going into debt which can worsen your burden. Be realistic about what you can or cannot do and let your loved ones understand your limitations.
4. Poor self-management and temptation to fit in may exacerbate mental health conditions. If you struggle with a feeling of isolation, find some healthy exercises to do or attend a community event. Be self-affirming and positive in your outlook. Live well, eat healthily and stay strong. You will not sink, but you will sing!
Faced with the pressure of life, remember to pray the serenity prayer "God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
If you have any mental health needs, seek medical attention or call us at Newstone Behavioral Health - 469-463-0036
By Dr Bosede Iwuamadi DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, B.Ed