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A new study on the effects of sleep indicates that women fair worse from bad sleep then men do. According to researchers men’s health was relatively unaffected by sleep quality. However, women who didn’t get a good night sleep suffered physically and mentally. Physically, poor sleep affected women’s blood insulin levels and resulted in higher levels of markers of inflammation and of fibrinogen. Mentally, the study showed that women who didn’t get a good nights rest had more symptoms of depression, hostility, and anger.
What does a woman’s sleep quality have to do with adoption? Many women are the primary care givers of adopted children. If the children were not adopted as newborns then they may have behaviors or special needs associated with early trauma. The children may also have behaviors or special medical needs if they were adopted as newborns, but were exposed to alcohol or other substances before birth. If the children have special needs, then parenting them can be stressful and demanding.
A good night’s sleep then is imperative for these moms, of whom I am one. We need to be sharp everyday. We cannot respond to our special needs children with hostility or anger and achieve the desired results. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that it is difficult to be a good parent when suffering from depression.
Dr. Edward C. Suarez of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina led the study. Instead of studying people with sleep disorders as has been done in the past, this study involved 210 healthy men and women without clinically diagnosed sleep disorders.
If the women had difficulty falling asleep more than two nights a week and took longer than half an hour to fall asleep, they had higher levels of fasting insulin. This can increase their risk for type 2 diabetes. Suarez felt that the results could be different for the genders because of the brain chemical serotonin, the hormone melatonin, or the amino acid tryptophan. These three chemicals are involved in mood and cardiovascular health.
If a woman improves her sleep, she may reduce her risk for cardiovascular disease. I found this article interesting because I have had difficulty sleeping for the past six years. I broke my back while training a horse that suffered abuse and neglect and had been confiscated by the police.
I have noticed over the years that I get angrier than before I had broken my back. I have also suffered from depression periodically since then, which I had not before. Last night, I slept all night and then woke pain free for the first time in almost six years. We ordered a new bed and in was delivered yesterday. Super Dad spent the entire evening assembling the bed so I could sleep on it. I had heard commercials and testimonies from other people about these beds and I was skeptical. However, they come with a 30 day free trial and you can return the bed if you don’t like it. After one night, I am a believer. It will be interesting to see if I get angry less often. I’ll keep you posted.
Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2007
We have a tempurpedic bed…an awesome investment. I also use a product called Nite Light by Omnitrition. Liquid vitamins(Omni IV with glucosamine)has been most effective for me. I have a nine year old, a eight year old, a seven year old, and an almost five year old. Also a two year old Puggle(dog), a four year old Ragdoll(cat), and 180 gallon salt water aquarium. Phew…. Omnitrition has helped with my nutrition and diet. Which in turn helps for my healthy sleep patterns. I started with Omnitrition in 2006. Since taking the products I haven’t been sick. There are so many people in this company with positive changes in their lives. We have live listen in calls on Thursdays and Sundays.
Well, this past week without the computer, and I have been getting more sleep, but feeling Depression, Hostility and Anger because of not being HERE! Much better now. Hope the rotovirus is all gone from your house, and that everyone does not try to sleep in your new bed !! — Rachel