By: Rebecca Ray
Since the start of the pandemic, more adults is experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms while sleeping. Sleep deprivation worsens anxiety and depression, and this vicious cycle of little sleep, worry, and sadness perpetuate our loneliness and isolation.
Anxiety Symptoms
Adults juggle working from home during an uncertain financial time, sometimes late into the night. Some of us are starting to think that life IS stranger than fiction, and experience anxiety symptoms while sleeping. These symptoms can include insomnia, restlessness, panic attacks, a racing heart, sweating, and rumination. Learn how to sleep when stressed and anxious.
Natural Remedies for Insomnia and Anxiety
Learn how to calm anxiety at night. There are things you can do to improve your sleep. I recommend that people develop and follow a consistent sleep schedule and reserve your bed for sleeping and sex.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals, and exercise late in the day. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. You can use a sleep mask, white noise machine, black-out curtains, and a fan to help keep your body cool and relaxed. Avoid anything longer than a 10-minute nap during the day and engage in something relaxing before bed. Create a bedtime ritual that includes herbal tea, a good book, or restorative yoga.
At night, avoid news stories and social media posts that create anxiety, and practice putting your worries away. Visualize a beautiful log cabin and be as detailed as you can while you focus on the trees and path leading to the house. One at a time, let your worries float into the house as you relax for sleep.
If you are isolating more than normal, reach out to friends and let them know you want to talk or set up a virtual meeting. Regular social interactions will help reduce your anxiety and depression.
Move your body! Research shows that regular physical activity reduces anxiety and depression while improving your health and sleep.
We cannot control the pandemic, but we can control how we care for ourselves and others. If you are struggling to sleep well at night, try these tips to calm anxiety at night and sleep better while stressed and anxious.
Anxiety Treatment
Sleep dread is a real problem and you might experience frightening sleep anxiety symptoms. If you are experiencing anxiety at night or waking up with a racing heart, reach out to a qualified therapist for anxiety treatment that improves sleep.