Imagine if not getting enough sleep was like skipping the oil change in your car. Just as neglecting regular maintenance can lead to engine problems, a new study suggests that not getting enough shut-eye — specifically, less than five hours a night — can increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms. Scientists have been curious about the relationship between sleep and depression for some time. Some wondered if depression caused people to sleep less, while others thought that a lack of sleep could trigger depression. This new research supports the latter theory. It’s like finding out that not changing the oil in your car actually causes your engine to overheat and malfunction. It’s not exactly surprising, but it confirms what we suspected: taking care of our sleeping habits is crucial for our mental well-being. So if you haven’t been getting enough sleep lately, it might be a good idea to prioritize those Z’s! To learn more about this study and how it was conducted, dive into the full article.
