Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 09:09 IST
Sleep Apnea is a serious disorder that causes poor oxygen flow to the body, and if left untreated, raises risks for hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.
If you are suffering from sleep apnoea, your partner can observed breathing pauses during the night
Sleep is the foundation of both physical and emotional health, yet millions silently battle sleep apnoea without realising its profound mental impact. Characterised by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) not only disrupts rest but also increases risks of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. It is a serious sleep disorder that causes poor oxygen flow to the body and fragmented rest, and if left untreated, it raises risks for hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.
ResMed’s 2025 Global Sleep Survey found that nearly one-third of respondents experience poor sleep three or more nights a week, with stress (57%) and anxiety (46%) emerging as leading triggers.
Some of the common symptoms include:
- Loud, chronic snoring with gasping/choking sounds
- Sudden awakening when sleeping
- Excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue despite full sleep
- Morning headaches, dry mouth, sore throat
- Difficulty concentrating, irritability, depression
- Observed breathing pauses by the partner
We speak to Dr Sibasish Dey, MBBS, MD, Head of Medical Affairs, South Asia, ResMed, to understand how addressing sleep apnoea is not just about breathing easier but also about protecting mental well-being.
Here are five effective ways to manage sleep apnoea and improve psychological health:
Consistent CPAP Therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard for obstructive sleep apnoea treatment. A study by The Lancet found CPAP users had a 37% lower risk of all-cause mortality and 55% lower cardiovascular mortality. Long-term CPAP use also improves executive function and attention in patients with severe OSA.
Stress Management and Mental Health Support
Poor sleep and mental health often reinforce each other, creating a cycle that worsens sleep apnoea symptoms. Addressing the psychological triggers is therefore just as important as treating the physical aspects of apnoea. Incorporating stress-management techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, or journaling can calm nighttime arousal and improve sleep.
Weight and Exercise Management
Excess weight is a major risk factor for sleep apnoea because it increases airway obstruction. Structured weight management and regular aerobic exercise can reduce apnoea severity, improve sleep efficiency, and alleviate stress.
Lifestyle and Positional Strategies
Sleeping on one’s side, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding alcohol or sedatives can significantly reduce apnoea episodes. Adopting good sleep hygiene, such as keeping a consistent bedtime, limiting screen use before sleep, and creating a quiet, dark environment, can enhance sleep quality, directly benefiting mental well-being.
Orofacial Therapy
Orofacial (myofunctional) therapy, which involves targeted exercises for the mouth, tongue, and facial muscles, has been shown to reduce sleep apnoea severity in both children and adults. By strengthening and repositioning the tongue and upper airway muscles, this therapy can improve airway stability during sleep and lower apnoea episodes.
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First Published:
February 21, 2026, 09:03 IST
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