While we advance in technology, lifestyle, and medical science, we also advance in an increasing number of health conditions that are the outcome of the lifestyle and life we lead. Today, instead of sleeping, we spend many hours in bed watching cat or dog videos. We live in constant fear of missing out. This causes us to stay awake late at night and catch up on things when we should be sleeping soundly and rejuvenating. Moreover, our diet and lack of physical activities are also big factors that impact our sleep. To cover up that, instead of changing our habits, we try other tactics like, sleep medication, buy best mattress or looking for apps and gadgets to improve sleep.
This has resulted in increasing numbers of sleep issues and disorders such as insomnia, RLS, sleep apnea, etc. Among these disorders, there is one that appears to be on the rise: Sleep Anxiety Disorder.
It is a condition that causes significant fear and distress about getting to bed and falling asleep. It is also known as sleep phobia. This disorder's symptoms include difficulties falling or sleeping, racing thoughts, muscular tension, sweating, and heart palpitations.
If you are also affected by this disorder, keep reading. Here you will learn about its causes, effects, treatments and tips to prevent it.
The Causes Of Sleep Anxiety Disorder
The causes and effects of it are complex and multifaceted and some of the most common causes include:
Stress and Anxiety: The most common cause of this disorder is stress and anxiety. Stress and worry are the most typical causes of this illness. If you are stressed and experiencing excessive tension and concern, this might lead to anxiety and slumber problems because anxiety and slumber are related. Your mind must be quiet and relaxed to take restorative naps. However, anxiety may cause you to overthink and worry about everything, keeping your mind on alert and in fight-or-flight mode. This keeps your mind from settling down and relaxing, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Trauma: If you have suffered some severe accident or event that is either too disturbing or leave you scarred mentally, psychologically or emotionally, it can turn into trauma. This can also be called accident after-effects or PTSD. As a result, you may have nightmares or flashbacks, making it difficult to unwind, particularly at night when there are no other interruptions. This may make it challenging to fall into slumber. Trauma can manifest itself in the form of nightmares, which can contribute to heightened anxiety and leave you too stressed to fall asleep.
Physical Health Conditions: Some physical health conditions, such as chronic pain or sleep apnea, can cause anxiety related to slumber. When people are in pain or struggling to breathe during the night, it can be challenging to get the rest they need.
Medications: If you have other health problems and are taking medication for them, this can also be a source of sleeplessness. Because some medicines contain compounds that can disrupt slumber, resulting in anxiety. Medication for disorders such as melancholy, anxiety, and ADHD can fall into this category.
Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, can also contribute to sleep anxiety. For example, people who consume a lot of caffeine or alcohol may find it difficult to fall asleep, and those who don't get enough exercise may have excess energy that makes it challenging to relax.
The Effects Of Sleep Anxiety Disorder
Sleep anxiety disorder can have a significant impact on a person's physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being and its effects can from mild to severe, depending on your mental and physical health. Some of the common effects include:
- People with sleep anxiety may find it challenging to fall asleep or stay asleep due to racing thoughts, worry, and fear. It can also lead to chronic insomnia.
- A lack of slumber can lead to daytime fatigue, which can affect a person's ability to concentrate, work effectively, and engage in daily activities.
- It can cause physical symptoms such as sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and trembling.
- Anxiety can lead to mood changes such as irritability, restlessness, and depression.
- It can lead to social isolation, as individuals may avoid social activities due to fear of being tired or unable to function properly.
- It can negatively impact a person's overall quality of life, including their work performance, relationships, and general well-being.
- Sleep deprivation can also weaken the immune system, increase the risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, and even shorten lifespan.
Tips To Minimize Sleep Anxiety Disorder’s Effects
Sleep anxiety is a mental health issue that requires medical supervision and treatment, as it can be severe and affects every aspect of your life. Along with professional help, you also need to make some lifestyle and hygiene changes, which can help lessen its effect and help you feel better. Here are some tips that can help you minimize its effects:
Develop a regular bedtime routine: Having a regular schedule helps your body and mind to process and determine when to fall asleep and when to wake up. Try to establish a consistent routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This can help regulate your body's internal clock and improve slumber quality.
Create a relaxing environment: Make sure your environment— bedroom— is conducive to relaxation by keeping it quiet, cool, and dark. You can also try incorporating relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga before bed. Also, try to keep everything that’s distracting and sleep-disturbing away from you at night.
Avoid stimulating activities before bedtime: Try to avoid engaging in stimulating activities like watching TV, using electronic devices, or exercising before bedtime. These activities can make your mind active, which makes it harder to fall asleep and can increase anxiety levels.
Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption: Avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol before bedtime. Caffeine and alcohol have stimulating substances that can interfere with sleep quality and exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Limit your daily dose of these and especially avoid consuming these before bed.
Practice good sleep hygiene: One way to mitigate this disorder’s effects is to practise healthy hygiene. The regular practice of hygiene helps your body and mind to get into a healthy routine and improve sleep. Adopt healthy sleeping habits like avoiding naps during the day, avoiding eating large meals before bedtime, and limiting exposure to bright lights before bed.
Upgrade your bedding: Your bed, which contains a mattress, linen, pillow, and other bedding, also has a significant impact on your slumber quality. Buy mattress online, or offline that suits your preferences and invest in quality bedding that provides enhanced comfort and helps improve your sleep. Often the starting of sleep-related disorders can be due to an unsupportive and uncomfortable mattress or that also worsens your back-related issues causing slumber disruption. Avoid that and if required buy orthopedic mattress or memory foam mattress for tailored comfort and back pain relief.
Seek professional help: Lacking slumber for one or two days is normal and can be the result of the current situation, like stress, extra work wrong meal, etc. But sleep-related disorders are a serious health issue that required professional help. Consider seeking help from a mental health professional, who can help you develop strategies to manage your anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
Conclusion
Sleep anxiety disorder is a condition that affects many individuals, but it can be managed with the right tools and strategies. By understanding its causes and symptoms, you can take steps to improve your sleep quality and overall well-being. This guide has provided an overview of the condition, as well as practical tips for minimizing its effects and preventing it from taking root.
However, if you are struggling with this disorder, it is important to seek support from a qualified healthcare professional. They can help you identify the underlying causes of your symptoms and provide you with effective treatment options that fit your unique needs. Additionally, incorporating healthy sleeping habits, such as maintaining a consistent schedule and creating a calming bedtime routine and purchasing quality mattresses and bedding, can greatly improve your sleep quality and overall mental health.