Sleep and stress can be a vicious cycle. Regardless of how stressful your job, family problems, or personal circumstances are, it is critical to obtain the recommended amount of rest each night. And when you don’t get enough sleep, your stress levels will continue to rise. The great news now is that there are a few good ways to combat the stressors that keep you from getting the required sleep you need. Below are some tips to help you get a good night’s rest.
Chronic stress disrupts the sleep-wake cycle
Chronic stress disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, affecting the internal clock that tells the body when to wake up and sleep. As a result, chronically stressed individuals are more likely to experience sleep problems, including trouble falling asleep and poor sleep quality. Additionally, chronic stress can reduce the amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the type of sleep essential for mental health. In addition, stress can color the emotional content of your dreams.
Poor sleep results in poor physical health
If you’re struggling to get to sleep, it’s good to make an appointment with a doctor and keep a sleep diary. Your doctor can help you with a sleep disorder or recommend appropriate therapy. In addition, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and better sleep hygiene may help reduce stress and improve sleep. As a last resort, if you can’t sleep and your stress levels are too high, consider consulting a healthcare professional to discuss the best course of action.
Sleep and stress are well known—poor sleep results in poor physical health. When stressed, our minds can’t shut off, resulting in only four or five hours of sleep per night. And, the quality of that sleep is not always that high. According to the CDC, about 35.2 percent of adults get less than seven hours per night. Not getting enough rest can have devastating consequences because it affects all organs in our bodies. And when these organs can’t function properly, the adrenal system kicks in and dumps the stress hormone cortisol.
Brain that controls anxiety and emotional processing
Lack of sleep affects our health and can affect our mood. People who don’t get enough sleep have difficulty concentrating, while others suffer from irritability or fog that won’t clear up. Not getting enough sleep also activates a part of the brain that controls anxiety and emotional processing. Sleeplessness causes detrimental mental effects on people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Sleep deprivation will likely contribute to stress if you’re worried about a new position.
