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.
We had to replace our Nest mattress due to water damage while in storage. I went in wanting to try the WinkBed, and after trying several mattresses over and over, we went with a Helix. Valerio helped us and made the entire process enjoyable. I appreciated his transparency, humor, and patience as we carefully weighed our options. We requested a delayed delivery so we have not received the mattress yet. If there are any issues with the delivery, I will update this review. I highly recommend stopping by to try out mattresses here if you're in the market for a new mattress!
This was surprisingly a GREAT experience! We were helped by Fazi, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and NOT PUSHY. I thought I'd be leaving with a totally different mattress that I'd researched, but based on Fazi's thoughtful recommendations, I'm happy to say I got a mattress that is much better for me. I was afraid that this was going to be stressful and overwhelming, but instead, Fazi offered water upon arrival, provided shoe covers for hygiene, and let me explore the different mattresses at my own pace. I'm so glad SleePare exists, because it's intimidating buying an "online" mattress for so much without ever trying it, even with the 100 day trial offers. This experience helped me feel confident in my purchase, and I'm excited about my new mattress! Thank you, Fazi!
We purchased a mattress here from Valerio, who was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. We left with a perfect mattress for us and the entire process was simple, transparent and enjoyable! Highly recommend stopping here.
Valerio is the best! He made sure to listen, made great suggestions, and is super friendly and personable. Made the whole shopping experience a breeze. Would absolutely recommend shopping with him here!
Valerio is an exceptional representative. He fully explains how the mattress is both the best for you & the worst for you while showcasing how knowledgeable he is about each type of mattress. He wont steer you wrong with your purchase.
My husband and I have been in search for a new mattress and we decided to go to SleePare because of the variety of brands they offer. We had no intention of purchasing a mattress the same day but ended up doing so because of the phenomenal service we got working with Valerio. From the moment we stepped in, Valerio was welcoming and kind. He was so knowledgeable about each of the brands, answered all our questions and most importantly he was honest which is so important, especially when you’re making a large investment! We learned a lot about different mattress types and what to look out for in mattresses moving forward. But honestly, so long as Valerio is there I will only work with him and will refer all my friends and family to him. Thank you for such a great experience!
We were looking for a firm mattress to replace the current old one. After some research online, through the detail product descriptions and many reviews, we thought that we found the mattress which fits our needs. However, we still like to experience the mattress in person. From Google, we found out the SleePare store in New York city, they have may brands of mattress that normally are not available in many mattress stores.We made an appointment with SleePare to check out the mattress that we are interested. We were kindly greeted by the store manager Fazi, and she was very attentive and knowledgeable. We were glad that we try out the mattress in person before making the purchase, it turned out that the mattress that we were looking for did not really meet our need. Fazi understand our need and was so helpful in showing us different brands of mattress.We ended up purchasing the Milly PowerCool firm mattress. The firmness of the mattress is perfect for us. Purchase process was simple and easy. Good communication with Fazi and her team throughout the sale and posted sale periods. Shipping was free and fast. It was the best mattress purchase experience for us. It is highly recommended to check out SleePare store when you need a mattress!Thank you so much to Fazi and her team!
Had an incredible experience here. Valerio was incredibly helpful and kind. He explained everything to us very well, which really helped us with our decisions. Would def go back here
Absolutely thrilled to share my amazing experience at SleePare, especially with the incredible Valerio! Let me start by saying, mattress shopping had been so stressful before I came here. I dealt with so many pushy salespeople who were more focused on selling me the priciest option rather than finding the right one for me. It was exhausting!Enter Valerio – a true gem! From the moment I walked in, he made me feel comfortable, never rushed me, and was genuinely interested in what I needed for a good night’s sleep. His knowledge about all the different mattresses was mind-blowing, and he took the time to answer every question I had. His only goal was making sure I left happy and confident in my choice.And guess what? I did! I ended up choosing the Helix Twilight Luxe, and I couldn’t be more excited. I am confident that it is going to be a game-changer for my sleep. I’m so thankful to Valerio for making what started as a stressful process end with a smile (and a perfect mattress). Highly recommend SleePare and *definitely* ask for Valerio!
I recently had a great experience at SleePare, thanks to Valerio's exceptional service. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the different mattresses and took the time to teach me how to choose the right one without being pushy about making a sale. I appreciated all the information. After my visit, I decided to do some research and checked out a few other stores. It didn't take long to realize the difference in quality and service. I was so impressed that I returned to SleePare the same day and made my purchase. If you're looking for a great mattress and a quick delivery, I highly recommend visiting SleePare and speaking with Valerio.
They have a great selection of mattresses, and their customer service is even better. I bought an Mlily but unfortunately in the end I had to return it before the end of the trial period - it was a good mattress but it didn't perform as I expected. They were great throughout the return process. This is probably the best mattress store in the city.
Terrific place! If you are in any way reluctant to roll around on mattresses in a public space like I initially was, don't be! The experience was enlightening, fun and beneficial in helping me pick a mattress that suits my needs. The SleePare team is informative, patient and congenial. I'm glad I stopped by; it sure beats reading tons of online reviews and still winding up confused. Before buying your next mattress, do yourself a big favor: Visit SleePare!
My son and I found this store after much research. He needed a bed as his old bed would cause him to roll into the middle. He was an active skateboarder and BMX biker and really needs excellent support for his spine and neck. Valerio was exceptional in his knowledge and tact. He had a great sense of humor and I found him to be genuine. He gave us his cell contact which I had to use to ask a few questions and he responded immediately even over the holiday weekend. I would highly recommend this store and Valerio. My son loves his new Helix Elite mattress and I love the value and service we received. Thank you Valerio and Sleepare!
Valerio made the process of buying a mattress enjoyable and effortless. His extensive knowledge and engaging personality set him apart as the most fun and personable salesperson we've encountered in the mattress industry. Highly recommend visiting this store!
Online reviews are great but trying in person these beds rly helped me choose “my bed”. I ordered new Winkbed Blue Luxe with latex and slept on it for 3 weeks so far but gosh, it did make such a big difference on my sleep! I will update in about 6 months
Had a great experience here with Rory. Got tired of shopping online and looking at reviews online only to still get a mattress I was unhappy with and returned. Found SleePare on google and made my way here from Queens. Rory was extremely helpful and patient. His first recommendation was the one I ultimately ended up purchasing after spending almost an hour here trying all the mattresses. The price also ended up slightly cheaper than the online price from the manufacturers website and included the sleeping bundle the manufacturer was offering for online customers. I can't recommend this place enough. Don't buy blindly based off of all the Youtube reviewers. Come here and try for yourself in a no pressure environment. Thanks again Rory!
Brenda and Kirsten were awesome to work with! They were friendly and knowledgeable making me and my wife's shopping experience top notch. I would highly recommend SleePare to anyone shopping for a matress, :)
Wonderful attentive service. Valerio was kind and patiently explained the pluses and minuses of the mattresses I was interested in. And ultimately he led me to a mattress that I think will be perfect. Thank you!
Sleepare is a store that will give you the opportunity to test several mattresses that are only available on-line. Patrick is very knowledgeable about the characteristics of the different brands and will help guide you through the decision making process.
I recently purchased the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Firm mattress from Sleepare in NYC, and it has been a game-changer for my sleep quality. I have chronic back pain, and the Aurora's targeted support zones have made a noticeable difference. Fazi helped me choose the right firmness, and after a few weeks of use, I can confidently say l've found my perfect match. The mattress sleeps cool, too, which is a huge plus during the humid NYC summers. Highly recommend both the mattress and the Store !
Rory helped me with the mattresses and was very helpful in explaining the differences between each mattress. I came back and place the order with Valerio and he made sure the shipping process was seamless as possible. He even helped me with the mattress to my car.
I and my partner worked with Fazi and she is the most pleasant to work with. Cannot express how grateful I am to sleep on a new mattress with NO shoulder pain or hip stiffness. We ended up going with Winkbeds Blue and absolutely love it!
Such a cool store and concept. They have huge variety of mattresses but I specifically wanted to try Winkbeds mattresses, they even had new Blue line of Winkbeds which I decided to order. Great visit !
I live in Chicago and bought myself a mattress from Sleepare’s Chicago store and cannot be happier with my purchase! While visiting my son in NY, I made him go to Sleepare’s NYC to upgrade his mattress as well. We were greeted by very friendly staff and Sleepare did not disappoint! Best service, thorough and detailed explanations and best prices!Funny to say, he ended up with the same mattress as I have but a little firmer (Helix Dawn Elite). Definitely recommend visiting Sleepare! 👍
Walked by this store 5-8 times and finally walked in…and left with amazing cooling mattress!! Milky Powercool Medium. It is very supportive and comfortable, rly recommend to people with shoulder pain
Fazi was fantastic! She took her time and explained each mattress! U can try Brooklyn bedding, helix, Winkbed, Dreamcloud, Nectar and many more online brands under one roof! Really smart idea! Thank you guys!
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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.