Anxiety disorders affect roughly 40 million adults in the U.S. Despite various reasons and manifestations of anxiety disorders, one thing is common in all anxiety prone persons, and that’s their inability to get a restful sleep at night. Negative thoughts and emotions runs havoc to our sleep-wake cycle and poor sleep ultimately deteriorates our health and our life quality.
There are many reasons and symptoms of anxiety disorders, but Here’s the deal…
You snuggle into your bed to get some well-earned ZZZs. Your body cozys into the sheets but your mind has unknowingly ventured into the dismal world of the next day’s to-do-list. Before you know it, you’re recollecting the day’s activities, what went your way and what didn’t. You start thinking about what you’re gonna do differently next time. You think about your goals, your strengths… and your weaknesses… and the next thing you know — it’s already 2:00 am and you worry about how you’ll cope with the day with such little sleep, and still there’s no shut eye for you as clock still ticks away.
If something similar happens to you on a nightly basis, you might be suffering from what many identify as anxiety-related sleep disorder or Sleep Anxiety Disorder!
Did you know that anxiety disorder affects ? You might be on the list. (God forbids!)
If you think sleep anxiety is taking a toll on your life, let’s see how you take the reigns of your snooze train back in your hands.
Relation Between Anxiety Disorder and Sleep
Sleep and anxiety disorder and anxiety are strongly connected to each other. But which one comes first?
Either one!
Sleeping problems arise because of anxiety, and anxiety disorder develops due to sleep deprivation!
In almost all psychiatric disorders, certain forms of sleep disturbances are present. Studies also show that if you have chronic insomnia, you may experience an anxiety disorder.
But whether which one comes first does not matter at all because when you suffer from sleep difficulties, anxiety can develop.
How Does Anxiety Develop?
Did you know that stress is the number one cause of anxiety? Take it from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
You can experience anxiety no matter how young or old you are. Some events may cause worries like speaking in public, going home alone at night, or attending an interview.
Anxiety can happen literally anytime – whether you are at home, in the office, or while you’re driving. However, turning this normal feeling into a disorder is a different scenario. Having an anxiety disorder can affect not only your normal activities but your social life as well.
So, how does anxiety develop?
The cause for anxiety disorder is still unidentified but having years of anxiety can be a triggering factor. It can develop not only because it runs in the family, but due to events that cause nervousness or panic attacks.
If you are suffering from medical illnesses that cause anxiety such as seizures, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, then the tendency of having this disorder is possible. If your anxiety condition begins late, your medical condition can be the cause since mental problems mostly develop during the childhood or adolescence period.
Another reason is the environment. If you are stressed at work or is in a toxic relationship, anxiety can come up which may lead to a disorder. Experiencing traumatic events like separation, neglect, or abuse can be a factor as well.
It is hard to find the real cause of sleep anxiety disorder, but once you suffer from it, don’t keep it to yourself. It’s best for a professional to help you overcome anxiety.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
People may experience several types of anxiety. You should know which type is eating you so you can get the proper treatment.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, this type of anxiety is affecting millions of American adults annually. GAD is identified if a person’s excessive worrying on different things reaches six months or longer.
When you have a generalized anxiety disorder, you find it hard to concentrate, get irritated quickly, always feel tired, and it becomes hard to control your emotions.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
People experiencing the OCD type of anxiety always have the desire to do specific compulsions repeatedly like the washing of hands. Also, people with this anxiety disorder have hostile urges or too concerned about cleanliness.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Individuals who have fears when it comes to social situations are suffering from this disorder. People who have this are afraid to be degraded or be judged by others. Also, this disorder can lead to feeling alone or embarrassed.
Panic Disorder
People having panic disorder are suffering from impulsive anxiety, panic attacks, shortness of breath, chest pains, and palpitations. If you have this, there is a possibility that other anxiety disorders may occur also.
If you have this disorder, you tend to tremble and cannot control your feelings. You also sweat when panic attacks.
Phobias
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder which makes a person fearful of specific objects, situation, or activity such as natural disasters and animals.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD happens after a person has a traumatic experience like accidents, wars, or natural disasters. People who have this find it hard to relax or always have alarming dreams.
Signs of Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems affecting a lot of people – no matter the age. This disorder does not only fill the mind with worries, but it also deprives you of getting the sleep you need.
Just in case you are not aware, sleep deprivation is among the leading causes of the 100, 000 deaths in US hospitals each year?
Are you suffering from an anxiety disorder? Here are signs to watch out for.
1. Gets Tired Easily
If you easily get tired, this can be a sign of anxiety. It may not be a common sign for this disorder but exhaustion can cause anxiety attacks and can even lead to depression.
2. Loss of focus
When you lose your focus, it means that you are deprived of sleeping and is also having anxiety. According to one study, people who have an anxiety disorder are having problems in focusing which affects the memory.
3. Extreme Irritability
If you feel extreme irritability, it can be a sign that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder. People who have anxiety disorder tend to get irritated most likely when the condition is at its worst.
4. Hard to Fall Asleep
Anxiety can lead to sleep disturbances which makes it hard for you to fall asleep. If you keep on waking up in the middle of the night and finds it difficult to get back to your slumber, it can only mean that anxiety is taking over you.
5. Excessive Qualms
People who have fears that are irrational like getting afraid of animals or particular objects are suffering from phobias, and this is a sign of anxiety. If you get afraid out of unreasonable fears, it can affect your ability to function which will stop you from performing your daily routine.
Are you experiencing these signs? Pay a visit to your doctor and have yourself treated before the situation gets worse.
Effects of Anxiety to the Body
Anxiety does not only affect your sleep. It can also greatly affect your body if you don’t have it cured. While it is true that being anxious is a normal feeling, experiencing severe anxiety is a different story. Your body is the first one to suffer.
Know what happens to your body when anxiety eats you.
1. Your body becomes stressed
When anxiety attacks, your body is exposed to extreme stress which makes the condition worst. With this, you can get dizzy or have headaches. When you are anxious, your body is more open to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline which can lead to health problems.
2. Your heart is at risk
Suffering from an anxiety disorder can put your heart at risk since this illness makes your heart palpitate and the heart rate is fast. If the disorder becomes worst, there is a high chance of heart disease, chest pain, and high blood pressure.
3. Digestion is affected
Don’t think that anxiety only happens in the head because this illness can lead to digestive problems if ignored. Your digestion can become worse and may suffer from diarrhea, stomachaches and other issues connected to digestion. Also, you may lose your appetite and may develop irritable bowel syndrome which can make you vomit or constipated.
4. Prone to infections
If you have an anxiety disorder, you are putting your body at risk since this illness can make you prone to infections as it weakens your immune system. With this, you may get sick frequently even though you get regular vaccines.
Being anxious can be normal but having chronic anxiety is not good for your body. Letting this illness dominate, you are submitting your body to dangers which can be fatal in the long-run.
When anxiety hits you, sleep is affected. With this, your body is prone to different illnesses which can make your situation worse. If you want to achieve a good sleep even anxiety is lingering, find out below.
How to Fight Sleep Anxiety Disorder
If anxiety creeps on you frequently and you want to fight it to live a healthy life, here are effective ways to pull off.
1. Exercise every day.
Exercising on a daily basis can help you fall asleep quickly. You can do some brisk walking which can enhance your sleep especially to people who have insomnia. Also, you can do exercises like yoga that helps in minimizing stress and anxiety.
2. Avoid stressful activities.
Stress is one of the triggering factors why you suffer from anxiety and sleep disorder. To make yourself sleep soundly at night, you better leave those stressful activities like checking heated social media arguments, especially before bedtime to avoid you from thinking too much.
3. Visit your doctor.
If you have done everything you can to fall asleep, but still anxiety is stopping you, it is best to visit your doctor for better treatment. In this way, you can freely address your worries and will know how to cure it.
4. Stop taking too much caffeine.
Drinking coffee, tea and other beverages with caffeine can be therapeutic. However, too much of it can be bad for you since it can greatly affect your sleep. It can keep you awake for hours which lessens your amount of sleep. Also, caffeine is not good for people with anxiety since it can trigger panic attacks.
5. Meditate.
Meditating can help you get enough sleep and reduce anxiety. With this, you can visualize an environment that is tranquil which will help you to release stress. Just breathe in and breathe out and everything will work perfectly fine.
6. Have someone to talk to.
Suffering from anxiety sometimes builds walls from others which makes it hard for someone to overcome it. If you are suffering from this disorder, it is best to have someone to talk which will help you to vent out your worries to calm your mind. Your friends and family are the ideal people you can talk.
7. Get rid of gadgets.
Gadgets can be entertaining, but if you are experiencing sleep anxiety disorder, it is best if you get rid of this especially before going to bed. Tablets, smartphones, and television lights can keep you awake and will less likely drag more of your sleeping time. Also, avoid checking your emails or performing your work as it can emanate anxious feelings which makes it hard for your brain to calm down.
8. List down your things-to-do.
Sometimes, thinking of what to do first can make you anxious which sometimes lead you to sleep late. To avoid this, better write down your things-to-do on a piece of paper to avoid your mind from thinking too much and for you to do everything you planned without worrying.
9. Have a regular sleep schedule
Having a sleep schedule can help to reduce anxiety and improve your sleep. Waking up and going to bed on the same time every day will help your body to adapt and your internal body clock can become better.
10. Calm your mind.
Before sleeping, some things will make you anxious which avoids you from falling asleep. However, if you calm your mind before sleeping, this will help you to focus more on to snooze. You can read a book or listen to serene music to put your mind at ease.
11. Relax your body.
There are instances wherein you have spent 20 minutes of your time trying to sleep but still can’t. If this goes on, you can get out of your bed and find ways to relax your body like taking a warm bath to make you sleepy.
These tips can help you fight anxiety and help you achieve quality sleep experience.
Can Anxiety Disorder be Treated?
Anxiety disorder can be treated through medication and therapy. With this, you can choose which one will fit your needs to help you get away with this condition without causing yourself too much trouble.
Therapy
One way of treating anxiety disorder is through psychotherapy. This is a therapy done to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one effective treatment if you are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you manage your anxieties and will slowly bring you back to activities that you keep on dodging because of your worries.
Medication
Another way to treat anxiety is medication. There are various types of medications that your doctor may recommend. Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, and Buspirone are some of the drugs that a professional may prescribe to help ease your anxiety. However, it may depend on the level of the disorder either it is serious or mild.
You have different options to treat anxiety. If you don’t want to take medications, therapy can be a good help. But if you think taking prescribed drugs is the way to go, we recommend you to seek your doctor’s recommendation first before taking any to avoid any complication.
When you treat your anxiety, your sleep disorder is also treated. So, if you want to get away from your sleep anxiety disorder, never hesitate to get treatment to avoid it from getting worse.
When you suffer from anxiety, your sleep is also at stake since these two are correlated. If worries keep running in your mind, it will be difficult for you to doze. The result is either you will feel restless or will lose concentration which can affect your normal day-to-day routine.
See your doc!
When the time comes that anxiety disorder hits you hard, the best solution is to see your doctor. A professional can help you recognize why the illness keeps happening and will provide the right and proper treatment to ease your anxiety and to help you get out of the mental problem gradually.
Don’t let anxiety ruin your life! Destroy it before it destroys you!
Bonus tip to get a better sleep
Another effective way to help you get better sleep is by using a comfortable mattress that suits your needs and situation. When you sleep on the right mattress, you get your daily dose of sleep and you wake up feeling relaxed.
Check out our SleePare reviews to find the right mattress that will help you achieve a sound sleep and anxiety-free life!
References:
Anxiety and physical illness, Harvard Health Publishing. Available from:
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.
Great experience at this SleePare location! I had issues with my prior mattress and was able to find a great mattress at their store. Valerio was personable, attentive, very knowledgeable, and had top-tier recommendations for my new mattress. I came away from the experience with a lot more knowledge about mattresses, confidence in my mattress choice, and a good deal on my mattress! I highly recommend this location.
I found this place when I was searching for mattresses online, and with many of the highly rated mattresses on Wirecutter, Forbes and Good Housekeeping did not have their own brick and mortars. I made an appointment and had a few mattresses I wanted to test out before coming in. I'm glad we came in because Valerio was so helpful and helped me find a mattress that suited our needs that was not even on my list! He was also very knowledgeable and welcoming. This store had all of the mattresses I had in my initial list and offered cheaper prices than listed online. It's also great purchasing from them and knowing they have a 100 night trial and with no extra charge to ship the mattress back. I definitely recommend stopping by Sleepare when looking for a mattress!
My husband and I recently visited SleePare in search of the perfect king mattress. The store vibe is welcoming and warm. There was no high pressure sales talk—just informative and helpful conversation that focused on our individual needs.Fazi, our sales agent, gets five stars for her wonderful disposition and her vast knowledge of the mattresses we tested.She was a joy to work with.This is the way to go if you are seeking a new mattress in an inviting environment.
We were baffled by the choices in new beds and also the high costs. Thanks to a review in The NY Times, we found SleepAre and best of all, Valerio. He walked us through the many choices with patience and a carefully culled understanding of what we needed. We would have been lost without him. Thank you so much Valerio. Ettie Taichman
My name is Debbie Hager-I just met the most generous kind, outstanding person who helped me to buy the best mattress for my holy father who is 93 years old the sales person's name is Valerio The store is located on 218 W. 30th St., New York City, NY. He was generous he was Kind offered us water and finally we got the best mattress for my holy father who is 93 years old and a huge Rabbi in America. Thank you, Sleep Are for helping us to make our life better.
We had a great experience choosing a new mattress at this store. You get to try several brands and the staff is very knowledgeable. Valerio goes about and beyond to help you make the right choice, highly recommended.
I had a very positive experience at SleePare. We got paired with Valerio who was incredibly helpful. He really knew what to look for in a mattress! His candor was appreciated and his energy made for a fun overall experience! We ended up being able to take advantage of the President's day sale and opted for the Mlily PowerCool Mattress which we loved in store. I quickly received my mattress and have been very happy with my choice so far. All the best, SleePare.
I was impressed with the care and attention shown to me when I visited the showroom. Fazi showed me the mattresses most relevant to what I wanted, and gave her honest evaluations of them. I left with a good idea of my choices.
Wonderful experience!Fazi was welcoming and patient. She pointed me to several mattresses to try and I never felt rushed. She helped me find the best mattress for my sleep style. I'm very happy. Would recommend.
Had a great visit to Sleepare! Fazi, the Store Manager, knew so much about every bed. Because you have to schedule an appointment, you get really individualized attention, but service is not pushy at all. I learned so much, both from laying on the beds and from speaking with Fazi. Completely recommend visiting this location if you are thinking of getting a bed from an online brand. You’ll get the feel of the bed and so much more.
Very happy with our mattress. Ruveena was our sales rep and she was very knowledgable and helpful, making sure we chose the right mattress for our needs. The store is clean and cozy, definitely would recommend.
Great store, great selection, and even better sales reps. Valerio is truly a pleasure to speak with. He is knowledgeable, super personable, and makes you feel right at home. You can’t go wrong with SleePare!
My wife and I had a fantastic experience shopping here for an online mattress. No matter how much you read or research, nothing beats actually trying a mattress out for yourself and SleePare is a great place to do that. There's no sales pressure at all, the staff couldn't be more accommodating and helpful, plus our sales rep, Fazi, was super knowledgeable about all the mattresses in the store. Once she had a sense of what we liked, she made smart suggestions about what else to try and her descriptions of how various mattresses would feel and why were always on point.While all online mattress companies now give extended trial periods, trying them first at SleePare eliminated the possibility of ordering one and immediately discovering that we disliked it. It also gave my wife and me the chance to agree on a mattress that felt right for both of us before buying it. The pricing at SleePare is great, comparable to what you'll see online, and they're willing to price match in the unlikely event that you have a lower quote. All in all, this was the best experience we've had in a brick and mortar store in many, many years.
Good choice of high quality mattresses and very helpful and attentive staff to assist customers.It took me two visits to decide on my choice and the entire sales team was extremely helpful, looking through the options, matching mattresses to the bed and helping me to identify the mattress to my taste.
I had an exceptional experience mattress shopping at SleePare with the most wonderful salesman, Valerio. His knowledge, expertise and care made the mattress purchasing process as easy as a blissful dream. I was given the opportunity to try a wide variety of mattresses at different price ranges, educated on the different offerings from each mattress company, and given as much time as I needed to contemplate my purchase with no pressure. I will be recommending SleePare and Valerio to all my friends and family for their mattress needs for the 6 star customer experience.
My in-store experience was exceptional. What's great about this store is that one has the opportunity to test out mattresses that are only sold online, all in a very relaxed atmosphere. Fazi was amazing! Once she knew what I was looking for, she showed me only the products that fit my requests. I was interested in 2 different mattresses and she answered all my questions about the features and differences between the two. And absolutely no pressure to make a decision right away. Highly recommended!
This place is truly a gem for those drowning in endless mattress searching. The place is extremely clean, well lit, cozy and comfortable. There's also wide variety of mattresses of different price range and firmness. Also, big shout to Fazi who assisted our trip to SleePare today. She is so knowledgable, respectful, kind and easy to talk to. I never thought I would leave a mattress shop feeling elated and joyful, but this place is top notch.
Valerio was fantastic in helping me purchase my mattress coming into the city. He provided expert advice and personal insight to ensure that I made the best purchase possible. I will definitely be coming back to this store!
Valerio was absolutely amazing! He helped me pick the perfect mattress. He is so personable and was patient with my indecisiveness. Would 100 percent recommend coming in to see him for your perfect mattress.
I really enjoyed going to SleePare. The person I worked with, Fazi, was excellent and was able to give me great information about each mattress I tried and the differences in comfort. It was a great experience. Would definitely recommend!
Amazing experience! Valerio is super knowledgeable, friendly and he gives you space to try a lot in peace! We bought our mattress and made a great deal!
Fazi was excellent and so knowledgable about each mattress. Her patience and expert advice made me feel confidant in my decision, never feeling I was being pressured. Highly recommend!
Fazi greatly helped us in the search of our new mattress. Our experience with her was delightful. She did not only take her time to understand our needs but also took time to educate us on all the aspects and details around a mattress choice.
Have had a nightmare of a time navigating the mattress industry on my own, especially after a few bad purchases from online bed in a box brands. Thankfully, Malcom and Sleepare helped my partner and I pick out what will hopefully be the perfect mattress for us. Really appreciate Malcom's knowledgeability and patience in answering all of our questions and being incredibly accommodating.
I had a great experience at SleePare and recommend them wholeheartedly. I had developed back pain and sciatica on my old mattress even though it was in great condition, and my Physical Therapist recommended that I change to a mattress with more cushioning as well as more support. SleePare is not restricted to just one or two brands. In their large showroom I could actually try a variety of brands for as long as I wanted. I figured that having to spend 8 hours on a mattress required a long testing. Raveena helped me and she was perfect. She first took time to understand my particular needs. Then she guided me with great expertise toward the type of mattress that would fit my needs. I was impressed by how knowledgeable she was and I trusted her answers because she did not embellish them or push to make a sale. Their generous free return policy of 100 days allowed me to try my new mattress at home. I don't understand how people can buy something online as personal and sensitive as a mattress without even knowing if they like it in the first place, and then go through the trouble of having to return it. SleePare was the place I was looking for: they are straight shooters that offer a nice selection of many brands with expert and honest advice. I've been sleeping on this mattress for 8 months and back pain and sciatica no longer wake me up.
Valerio was so lovely, and extremely knowledgeable about the matresses! He energetically gave us details on each bed in the showroom. There was a wide range of mattresses on display including some that were not advertised on their website, so we were glad we came in. My partner and I felt comfortable enough to try some beds together, it was a very queer friendly space and we felt confident enough to make a decision. We ended up getting a great deal on a typically expensive mattress, and he was very accommodating to our drop-off schedule. We had so much fun. 🌈❤️
Went there on 5 days ago to look for a king size mattress. Made an appointment. Read a bunch of reviews on line and went to check out the mattress that was highly recommended. Valerio helped us understand how mattresses are made and encouraged to try them. We eventually chose a different mattress to the one we went to check out. Very positive experience. Would recommend you go before committing to a mattress type based on reviews on line like NYT or Forbes ranking etc
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Meet The Author:
Shanir Kol
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.