by Lina Martinez

Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, nowadays it is almost impossible to avoid stress. We experience stress at work, at home, in school and basically, anywhere we go.  No matter how hard we try to stay calm, stress is brought on by our jobs, personal lives or even just terrible traffic. Although stress seems inevitable, it doesn’t mean we should simply let it happen, especially when it starts messing our sleep. Learn how stress takes a toll on our sleep and what to do about it.

Stress Prevents You from Falling Asleep

Stress may be responsible for spending the entire night tossing and turning or lying in your bed for hours with your eyes wide open.  Although there is no magic number of sleep hours you should get per night, sleep experts claim people feel happier and healthier when they sleep at least seven hours per night.

Stress Messes With the Quality of Sleep

As if it isn’t enough that stress prevents you from meeting the Sandman, it also affects shut-eye satisfaction. To put things simply, when you are stressed, you are unable to go into deep restorative sleep.

Relaxation techniques are key to breaking this cycle of poor sleep. Engaging in activities that calm both your body and mind can significantly improve your ability to get restorative rest. For example, booking a swedish massage in Peoria, AZ (or another local area) can help you unwind by reducing muscle tension, calming your nervous system, and lowering stress hormones. Incorporating regular massages into your self-care routine not only promotes better sleep but can also enhance your overall sense of well-being.

Additionally, creating a comfortable sleep environment, such as investing in a better mattress or bedding, can make a big difference. Resources like the best adjustable beds in Australia guide can help you find options tailored to your needs, further boosting your sleep quality.

Stress Increases Insomnia Risk

We have more bad news for people who are chronically worried and stressed. Stress will not only affect some of your sleep but may potentially rob you of it entirely. When you experience ongoing stress, you are more susceptible to insomnia. Research published in the Journal of Sleep shows that stress increases your risk for the disorder by 20%.

Stress Sends Your Brain into Overdrive

When you fall asleep, your body should switch from its active state to a more passive state. However, when you are worried, anxious and stressed, the sympathetic nervous system can’t shut down and remains hyperactive. This state may leave you wide awake during the entire night unless you quiet it through meditation or the use of the thca flower.

Stress Traps You in a Vicious Cycle

If you are unable to catch quality ZZZs due to stress, you have to be very careful because you may get trapped in a vicious cycle. Stress is a catalyst for experiencing not one, but many sleepless nights. When you are stressed, you can’t sleep properly and as you sleep less, the level of your stress rises, which further prevents you from getting quality sleep and so on.  It is very important to do anything you can to prevent yourself from falling into this vicious cycle.

How to Prevent Stress from Wrecking Our Sleep

In order to fall asleep and catch some quality ZZZs when you are stressed, you need to address the root cause of the problem, and that means addressing the thing that caused stress in the first place. For example, if you had an unpleasant situation at work, talk with somebody about it, and don’t go through the entire event in your mind again and again. Also, it is a good idea to try somehow to relax. Most people find taking a warm bath or reading a good book very relaxing. Using essential oils for sleep or drinking a warm cup of chamomile tea or milk with honey are other solutions.
 
Another way to combat insomnia is to add to your diet a natural supplement for helping you fall asleep and stay asleep. Supplements such as this can help you unwind by aiding the relaxation of the body and mind. Discarding your thoughts on a piece of paper and physically throwing them away can also help clear your mind of negative thoughts and feelings. Only with a clear mind, you can sleep without disruption the entire night.

In many areas where THC is now legal, it can be used medicinally as a great way to control stress and help you sleep. Consult any local blog post, and you’ll find reviews of the different options available to you.

However you do it, here’s to a great night’s sleep.