Sleeping When Anxiety Is at an All-Time High
Well. Nothing quite like a global pandemic and an era-defining election to kick anxiety into epic proportions, huh?
Mental health experts and surveys are finding more people are anxious and depressed than ever. People are facing challenges like never before while also experiencing unease, hopelessness, and fear.
When coronavirus first ramped up back in March, I found myself unable to sleep. My heart was racing. I felt like everything was out of my control.
The internet has become flooded with self-care tips. But what I have learned from years of managing anxiety is this: it is hard to get started.
Once you form a routine of self-care and start to feel better, it becomes easier but finding what works can be tricky. Every person is different, and what works for one may not work for another. There are also so many suggestions out there that it can feel overwhelming.
One thing I have learned is that, for me, sleep is #1. If I don’t sleep well, it is nearly impossible to focus on anything else. And — when feeling anxious — sleep can become incredibly difficult.
Fear of Covid-19 disrupted my sleep for weeks. Racing thoughts prevented me from falling asleep at bedtime. I had nightmares about what would happen to my family if I were to get sick.
