German psychotherapist Petra Bishuner has described sleep as a 'daily therapy session for the brain,' warning that if a person does not get enough rest at night, their mental balance can quickly be disrupted, and dealing with psychological stress becomes more difficult. The German expert added that this can have serious consequences, especially in the long term; those who sleep little or intermittently for long periods are more sensitive to stress and more prone to symptoms of depression or anxiety. Furthermore, chronic lack of sleep negatively affects learning and performance. Bishuner explained that healthy sleep can be enhanced by taking the following measures: give your brain enough time to relax before sleep; consider the night a protected phase for rest and renewal; maintain regular sleep and wake times; make your bedroom dark; avoid screens and bright light in the hours leading up to sleep; jot down your worries or tasks before bed if you tend to overthink; in some cases, sleeping pills can be taken, but they should be used temporarily and under medical supervision. Bishuner pointed out that a sleep disorder is diagnosed when difficulties falling or staying asleep occur at least three times a week for more than three weeks and significantly impact daytime health. Symptoms of sleep deprivation include difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, difficulty concentrating in the middle of the day, persistent thoughts during sleep, or waking up at night with a rapid heartbeat.
