Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders. It affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the inability to get enough sleep to wake up feeling refreshed. This can include difficulty falling asleep or waking up too early. It can also involve fragmented sleep if you wake up throughout the night. A few bad nights of sleep here and there are not a major issue. You can easily recover and get back on track. However, chronic insomnia can cause serious issues. This can include mental health and overall health problems. Below you will find how stress and anxiety can trigger insomnia.
How Stress and Anxiety Can Trigger Insomnia
Stress and anxiety are two of the most common causes of sleep disruption. Both put your mind and body in heightened states. When this happens, it can be extremely difficult to fall asleep. Addressing sleep issues related to stress and anxiety can be difficult. Support from a sleep specialist is necessary to improve your sleep.
Stress-Related Sleep Issues
Stress impacts the body in several ways that affect sleep. The body’s fight-or-flight response is activated when you are stressed. This releases hormones that prepare you to protect yourself from potential harm. Cortisol and adrenaline are common stress hormones.
When this occurs, you may notice several physical manifestations of stress. This includes an increased heart rate, muscle tension, sweating, and jitters. An increased heart rate can make it extremely difficult to relax. Muscle tension can cause discomfort and restlessness. Sweating and jitters also prevent your body from calming down.
Being in a relaxed, calm state is necessary for falling asleep. When these types of reactions are triggered, it keeps your body on high alert. Even if you do fall asleep, it can be difficult to stay asleep. This reduces your ability to get deep, restorative sleep. Over time, this has a negative impact on your daily life and health.
Anxiety
Anxiety essentially amplifies worries or fears that you have. Some people experience general anxiety that impacts sleep. However, others may have anxiety about sleep itself. This is referred to as psychophysiologic insomnia.
The condition comes with intense anxiety about falling asleep. It is also associated with distress after waking during the night. Anxiety surrounding sleep can cause daytime fatigue if left untreated. This creates a vicious cycle of sleeplessness and anxiety that can lead to insomnia.
The long-term effects of anxiety-related insomnia can impact mental and physical health. This includes your mood and memory due to daytime fatigue. It can also increase your risk for chronic health conditions. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Insomnia disrupts so much of your health, including increasing stress and inflammation.
Common Risks Connected to Untreated Insomnia
Insomnia that lasts for weeks or months can lead to many health issues. It can severely impact your quality of life and mental health. The disruption to your body and mind can have several unwanted issues.
Mental Performance
One of the most notable areas impacted by insomnia is your cognitive function. Sleep is restorative and helps your brain consolidate information and recharge. Without quality sleep, your brain can struggle exponentially. This often includes difficulty focusing and retaining information. It also leads to slower thinking and poorer decision-making. For many people, this affects their work, school, and personal lives. When left untreated, life can feel heavy and lead to mental health issues.
Mental Health
Sleep is helpful for emotional regulation. Without it, you may notice changes to your mood and overall mental health. Insomnia can impact your emotional stability in several ways. You may notice irritability, emotional reactivity, depression, anxiety, and panic. This creates a vicious cycle as sleeplessness and mood disorders often fuel one another. Without the help of a sleep specialist, this can be very difficult to manage on your own.
Physical Health
As with your mental health, your body needs sleep to repair itself. Sleep helps your body fully function. Without it, things tend to break down physically. Untreated insomnia has a direct impact on your physical health. In fact, research has shown that long-term sleep issues can increase the risk for several health issues. This includes high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system. Weight gain is also common due to hormonal and metabolic changes. These issues can develop over time and have serious long-term consequences.
Insomnia Treatment
Taking the step towards getting treatment for insomnia can help you get a better night’s sleep. Working with a skilled sleep specialist is essential. They are specially trained to diagnose and treat sleep issues.
Evaluation
Your first appointment involves a thorough assessment. Many people with insomnia also have underlying conditions. Assessing whether your insomnia is a standalone issue or due to something else is the first step. The sleep specialist will assess your medical history, current medications, symptoms, and lifestyle factors. In some cases, additional testing may be necessary to get to the root of the issue.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Each patient experiences insomnia differently. With that, a customized treatment plan is based on your unique needs. Many doctors just put a band-aid on sleep issues by prescribing sleeping pills. However, the team at Sleep MD addresses insomnia with a comprehensive approach. While medication can be a part of the treatment plan, it is not the only aspect. The goal is to identify exactly what is causing your sleepless nights. From there, treatment addresses it head-on.
Lifestyle Changes
One of the most important aspects of treatment is the behavioral component. Behavioral sleep strategies help you set yourself up for success. This includes establishing a consistent sleep routine and avoiding daytime naps. Screen time is a major contributor to sleep disruptions. Avoid screens for at least one hour before you head to bed. Mental health conditions should be treated as well. Depending on your specific symptoms, relaxation practices are often effective. This includes deep breathing, mindfulness, and journaling.
Best Sleep Specialist
If you are struggling with sleep, contact the Sleep MD team today to schedule your consultation!
