HomeWhat’s the Impact of Stress on Sleep?
We all experience sleep problems occasionally. However, recent studies reveal that insomnia and sleep-related problems are rising. The leading cause of sleep issues is stress. So, if you’re lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling and not knowing what to do, this article is for you. Next, we share our insights on the impact of stress on sleep and a quick tip to improve your sleep quality.
What’s The Impact Of Stress On Sleep
We all know stress is harmful to our health. But we tend to become overly stressed with ease. Chronic stress (but not only) leads to stomach issues, increased anxiety, and lack of focus. The impact of stress on sleep is more than concerning.
Stress doesn’t let you get enough sleep
Adults need up to nine hours of good sleep. But as you may already know, many of us sleep under seven hours per night. The most common cause of not getting enough sleep is stress. When stressed, getting the necessary amount of sleep a healthy body needs is challenging. This happens because stress increases cortisol production in your body. This stress hormone will keep your body on alert 24/7. Your brain will work overtime and feel you can’t regain calm.
Stress doesn’t let you get quality sleep
Another common problem stressed people face is the lack of sleep quality. Stress prevents you from getting healthy sleep and might even make you more anxious. Besides, stress usually makes you wake up periodically throughout the night. As a result, you’ll wake up more tired and feel like you haven’t slept.
Stress creates a harmful cycle
An interesting impact of stress on sleep is that it creates a continuous cycle. Being overly stressed makes it challenging to fall asleep. When you have trouble falling asleep, your stress levels increase, and since you’re not getting enough sleep at night, your daytime stress levels will go over the roof. As a result, it becomes challenging to follow a healthy sleep routine. This has many negative consequences, including increased irritability, low energy, and decreased productivity.
Stress leads to nightmares
Did you know that chronic stress paves the way to having recurrent nightmares? Well, experts say that the leading cause of nightmares is prolonged stress. The mix between a restless night and mental tension leads to nightmares. So your anxiety might be to blame if you constantly dream about running, falling, being chased, or being in horror situations.
Stress makes you feel tense all the time
When it comes to the impact of stress on sleep, we can’t overlook the tension it creates. Muscle tension is the natural body response to increased stress levels. It makes sleep challenging. But even more concerning is the rigidity you feel makes sleeping almost impossible. A mind with difficulties relaxing leads to a body that refuses to fall asleep when lying on your best mattress.
Stress leads to chronic insomnia
If you’re wondering how insomnia happens, the answer is straightforward. Chronic stress leads to insomnia and poor health. Excessive worrying and anxiety make it impossible for your brain to relax. As mentioned above, the longer you try to fall asleep (unsuccessfully), the greater your chances of being more stressed and worried. This leads to a vicious cycle, increasing stress levels and decreasing rest time.
Stress leads to sleep apnea
Stress isn’t the cause of sleep apnea, but there is a clear link between the two. Individuals experiencing sleep apnea face a sleep deficit cycle. Their bodies send signals to wake up abruptly because of a lack of oxygen. This makes it difficult to sleep and get good quality rest. But it also boosts your stress levels. If you’re already feeling stressed out and experiencing sleep apnea, you’ll notice your anxiety levels are on the rise. This can negatively impact your health, causing high blood pressure and mental and physical problems.
How To Achieve Stress Relief
Many people share their thoughts on stress relief tips. To diminish stress at bedtime, you should create a bedtime ritual. Joining relaxing activities before bed might be helpful too. A routine that soothes your brain is a must. But there is one important thing people overlook: the quality of a mattress. It isn’t enough to follow the best stress relief routine. Your bed must be soothing, too.
From our experience, an excellent mattress can do wonders for your sleep quality. Ensure you use a mattress made from industry-leading materials, such as a Silentnight or Vesgantti mattress. Also, considering replacing your old mattress might be a good idea. Most mattresses have a 7 to 10-year lifespan. However, we recommend you change yours if you notice clear signs of damage. Your sleeping style influences your bed’s longevity.
The Takeaway
Stress has a direct impact on our sleep quality. And if it’s mixed with bad sleeping habits, it can lead to a vicious cycle. We recommend following the best stress relief practices to avoid serious health problems. Of course, creating the best bedtime environment is a must. Mattresses are designed to help you overcome various issues. Replacing your old mattress with a new one can help decrease stress levels. There are mattresses for back pain relief, pressure relief, or stress relief. Different mattress materials offer different results. But we can confidently say that a new bed will improve your sleep quality! Ensure you choose a quality mattress for a good night’s sleep.
