Sleep is essential for human being as it provides rest to his mind and restores energy to keep him fit for the coming day. However, there are many unfortunates who are dismayed as they have lack of good night sleep. People with sleep disorders are always anxious whether they will have a sound sleep. On the other hand those with anxiety disorder are most pitiable persons as it can affect their sleep.
Both sleeplessness and anxiety therefore run hand in hand. The vicious circle thus produced by sleep anxiety has far reaching effect on mind as well as on the body.
What Causes Sleep Anxiety Disorders?
There are several reasons that may be responsible for sleep anxiety. Here are some of the important reasons.
Anxiety in day to day life is not new phenomenon. However, most of the people are not aware of it. A student may experience anxiety when he has to appear for a viva test or someone else may feel anxious before he plays a big game etc. This type of anxiety may be short lived.
Stress is another factor that leads to anxiety and sleeplessness. Stress can result from many factors. It can be work related stress, relationship stress, monetary stress etc. Stress can cause anxiety and may not allow a person to sleep well at night.
Depression contributes to sleep anxiety phenomenon. A constant feeling of unhappiness and emptiness is characteristic feature of depression. The cause of depression can differ in different people. It can have a genetic predisposition, or due to physical illness. Social and psychological cause can also be a factor for depressive state of mind. Depressed person may suffer from sleep anxiety disorder. He may experience difficulty in falling asleep or may have poor quality of sleep.
Sleep Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Wide varieties of symptoms are manifested with sleep anxiety. These may include those of the underlying cause.
- Lack of sleep.
- Difficulty in falling asleep.
- Frequent waking at night.
- Waking up too early in the morning.
- Tiredness and loss of interest in work during daytime.
- Cannot focus on a subject.
- Increase episodes of making error in the work he does.
- Fearful and uneasiness during night.
- Shortness of breath.
- Dryness in mouth.
- Weird sensation all over the body.
- Frequent numbness and tingling.
- Tensed sensation in muscles.
- Cold feet and hands.
Relaxation Techniques For Sleep Disorders From Anxiety
There are several relaxation techniques that may help if you are suffering from sleep anxiety. Principally it is focused on reducing anxiety and stress.
- Meditation: It is one of the surest ways to get sleep when you are anxious. Practice relaxation regularly when you anxious or stressed.
- Exercise is helpful for both mental as well as physical health. Exercise raises feel good hormones in the body. Any form of exercise is beneficial for better sleep and reducing anxiety. Walking, running, jogging, swimming and yoga are beneficial for people suffering from insomnia and anxiety.
- Hearing mild music is calming to the nerves. It helps to reduce blood pressure and also relaxes the mind.
- Write down in a book the problems which make you anxious. Now make a resolution to work and solve the problems in coming morning.
- Consult a psychiatrist if sleep anxiety is affecting your regular life.