CLEVELAND, May 15, 2006 - The Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) is observing Mental Health Month (May) by urging Cl evelanders to develop or continue healthy sleeping patterns.

May is also Better Sleep Month, and the Better Sleep Council (BSC) and National Mental Health Association (NMHA) are joining forces to communicate the critical link between sleep and emotional well-being. While it is commonly known that sleep problems are a possible side-effect of depression, people may not be aware that sleep disorders can actually trigger mood disorders and depression. Research is continuing to show the strong connection between sleep and mental health. CDPH urges Clevelanders to make healthy sleep a priority.

"Most people know sleep habits play a pivotal role in our general health, and that good health encompasses both physical and mental well-being. The impact sleep has on our mental health should be no surprise," says Louis Weigele, Project Director of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Unit, CDPH. "Especially in today's busy lifestyles, I encourage people to be pro-active and make assuring healthy sleep a priority."

The 2006 Better Sleep Month survey found that better sleep did result in better mood among respondents. When asked to rate their sleep quality, quantity, and overall mood in the course of one week, people who obtained seven or more hours per night were more likely to rate their general mood as excellent (57 percent), as opposed to those receiving an average of six hours of sleep or less (45 percent). (NMHA News Release, May 1, 2006).

The Better Sleep Council and the National Mental Health Association provide the following advice for Americans this May:

• Treat your body right. Good nutrition makes a difference. Get adequate rest, exercise, and balance work and play. For the best sleep, avoid exercising or eating near bed time including limiting intake or avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol -- they all interfere with restful sleep.
• Schedule time for sleep. Just like we manage our many 'to-dos', sleep is an appointment that you can not miss. When the quality of your sleep improves, so does your mood, thus the quality of your life. Tonight's sleep can determine how your tomorrow will be, so it should be at the top of any daily agenda.
• Create a sleep sanctuary. The best sleep environment is uncluttered, dark, quiet, and cool (ideal temperature is around 65 degrees). Your bed is not a desk, dining room table or a couch, so it's best to turn off the television and keep the food and laptop out of the bed. Most importantly, always sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
• Ease your anxious mind. Wind down before bed. Take a bath, meditate, do whatever you need to do to relax and wipe away the day's stress. If you find your mind racing while trying to go to sleep, keep a pad of paper next to your bed and jot down what's on your mind. If you find yourself unable to sleep after 20 minutes, get out of the bed, go into another room and engage in a calming activity until you feel ready to sleep.
• Take it day by day. Changing your schedule and attitude about sleep isn't going to happen overnight. It requires a lifestyle change, dedication, and practice. Just like improving any aspect of our health, making sleep a priority and minding your mental health takes time. Remember that the return on investment will be a happier, healthier life. If you are experiencing persisting sleep and/or emotional problems, you should seek help from a health professional, or contact the CDPH, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Unit at (216) 664-3920.