A lot has changed ever since the pandemic started. People were forced to change their lifestyle and working conditions, transitioning from enjoying outdoor activities to suddenly spending most of their time at home and indoors. Many have developed stress-related insomnia because of all of these changes, which is more complicated than stress-related restlessness.
The pandemic has put a magnifying glass on how people handle loneliness, economic hardships, political issues, work-from-home conditions, homeschooling, and several other factors. These factors triggered stress levels to skyrocket and sleep and rest to plummet. When this happens, a person’s well-being is significantly affected. Over time, this can harm the overall health of individuals.
Many people have found security and safety through therapy at Therapy24x7. We find ways to help individuals manage emotional triggers and stress that can affect their sleeping habits during these trying times.
What stress can do to sleep
Stress and sleep are like oil and water; they don’t mix well. This is because stress is actually the main trigger of insomnia: the difficulty of falling asleep, waking up, or returning to sleep.
Pandemic-related stress is more complicated because it is the type of fear that has been consumed daily for most of the year. Without proper management, treatment, and understanding of COVID-19’s long term effects, this type of stress can adversely affect a person’s well-being.
What pandemic does to a person’s sleeping patterns
As we mentioned earlier, the pandemic has caused disruptions in many people’s lives, like working from home, social distancing, self-isolating, and more. This is especially true now that finding a break from these triggers is quite tricky due to being stuck at home.
Besides these factors, being at home can cause complications in a person’s sleeping habits because there is also a disruption in light-based cues for wakefulness. Since many are stuck at home, there is a limited amount of light and sunlight exposure, which changes their circadian rhythm.
Additionally, since people practice social distancing and self-isolation, these practices can increase depression and anxiety levels, ultimately developing sleeping issues.
What it can do to a person’s health
When one does not get sufficient rest and sleep, it can negatively impact their overall health. Being sleep-deprived can lower a person’s immunity and make them more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus.
This is why it’s crucial to speak to an experienced therapist, especially if a person is experiencing negative sleeping patterns. This way, the therapist can incorporate different techniques and proper medical treatments to reverse these effects and improve their sleeping habits and health.
What is the link between COVID-19 and sleep?
Many people are relying on science to help everyone get through this pandemic safely. And aside from the vaccine, proper intake of vitamins, a healthy diet, and an active lifestyle, sleep can actually help people fight the virus.
As mentioned previously, getting sufficient sleep improves the body’s immune function, which effectively fights viruses and illnesses that enter the body. Besides that, getting enough sleep helps regulate metabolism, making the body more prepared should a person fall ill. Additionally, flu shots are more effective on people who have enough rest and a healthy body.
Conclusion
Getting enough sleep and rest is incredibly vital, especially now that the world is in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why it’s essential to seek help to address sleeping pattern complications and receive medical advice to improve a person’s overall well-being.
Understandably, it can be quite difficult to find light in uncertain situations. But by prioritizing health and taking the necessary steps to eliminate negative sleeping patterns, fighting the virus while staying indoors will be more comfortable.
It’s important more than ever to ask for help when a person is not getting enough rest during these times. Our team at Therapy24x7 are professional therapists who provide psychotherapy and life-coaching services online and in-office. We provide support through enhanced coping strategies and results-based therapy. Speak to us today!