Strategies for Stress-Related Sleep Disorders

What is the effect of stress-related sleep disorders?

Do you have trouble falling asleep at night because you are stressed out? If so, then you are not alone.

A huge number of people report having trouble getting to sleep because of stress, and that this affects their job performance.

After a poor night's sleep you have poorer concentration, less ability to make decisions and less patience in handling people.

It can be a vicious cycle as these problems can cause even more stress for you!

This treadmill of stress and lack of sleep means that you need to find a solution to your relieve your stress, so that you can get to sleep.

There are a couple of ways to reduce the impact of stress-related sleep disorders.

First look for ways to reduce stress in your life. What are the things that are causing you stress - try to work out solutions to these things before you go to sleep

For example, often writing down what is stressing you out and possible solutions or steps to take can be very helpful in allowing your brain to work through them while you are awake (rather than when you are trying to get to sleep).

Often talking about a problem with close friend a partner or your GP can dispel your worries and alleviate stress.

If talking about your problems is not helpful for you then a number of relaxation techniques that can assist with the management of stress, e.g. yoga, meditation and exercise.

Alternatively, you can create a period on your day (say for 10 minutes) in which you allow yourself to worry. Make this the same time each day, and if worry invades your thoughts outside of this time, then rather than blocking the thought, write it down and worry about it in your worry time.

Another alternative is to examine your thoughts and use thought stopping techniques to change your thoughts (more about this later)

If you are stressed because you have too much to do and feel like you haven't enough time, then time management could be beneficial for you.

Develop sleep routines (such as taking a warm bath at bedtime, listening to music, reading and avoiding the bedroom until it is time to sleep). Try also to sleep at the same time each evening (so avoid sleeping late on weekends).

The aim is to build an association with your mind of bed and sleep - this means not watching TV in bed. Also try to avoid alcohol and abstain from caffeine a few hours before sleep.

Hypnotherapy may also be a way to get a better night's sleep.

If you have trouble getting to sleep, then discover how to fall asleep fast with this sleep hypnosis.

If you find that you have no difficult falling asleep but that when you wake in the early morning and can't get back to sleep then this get back to sleep hypnosis may help.

If sleep disorders continue to interrupt your sleep, then consult your GP or other health professional.



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