Life changes and Lifestyle Choices
Changes in our lives, such as starting a new job, can also disrupt sleep. Unexpected life changes can lead to feelings of fear and instability. These changes can be hard to adjust to and can affect our sleep. The racing thoughts and anxiety you may feel will make sleeping hard.
So, what do I mean by lifestyle choices that can affect your sleep? Let’s talk about food and screens. First, I have clients who report struggles with late-night snacking. It affects their weight and their sleep. Screens can also be a problem. I have clients who report an addiction to gaming or watching YouTube. One client was chronically late for work because his screen addiction led to a lack of good sleep.
Interestingly, the blue light screens emit can interfere with melatonin production. This is the hormone that regulates sleep. Not getting enough sleep adds to life stress. You may drink too much coffee (or energy drinks) in the morning. This helps you stay awake but can contribute to sleep problems each night.
Your Physical Health
Your physical health must also be considered when examining your problem sleeping. Unfortunately, my clients with chronic pain and breathing issues often report having sleeplessness. Sleep apnea disrupts your breathing at night and wakes you up over and over. This can lead to problems getting up. I have a client who lost his job due to chronic lateness. He later discovered that he had sleep apnea, and when treated, it changed his life. Recognizing and addressing underlying health issues is crucial in improving your sleep.
Nightmares
Some people experience nightmares that wake them up and affect their sleep. Those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can significantly impact sleep. These nightmares can affect your sense of safety, keeping you awake. Having this happen over and over can lead to exhaustion and pain.
Another psychological aspect to consider is the fear of being unable to sleep. Your anxiety about sleeplessness can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Some people go to bed with dread about their ability to fall asleep, which only heightens anxiety and makes it more difficult to sleep. Some of my clients have suffered from “sleep anxiety.” Cognitive therapy can help you if this is a problem.
Understanding why you may be having trouble sleeping is vital to solving the problem. However, this is only the first step. You will need to make life changes to address the problem.
For me, however, writing this blog post has kept me awake. It’s time for me to shower and prepare for my day. I do have time this afternoon to take a nap. Napping is excellent, but be careful not to nap for too long because this can also affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
