Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images
Sleep anxiety involves fear or worries about being able to fall or stay asleep.
Such worry can then interfere with a person’s ability to get adequate rest.
Sleep anxiety is complex, and people may experience it in various ways.
Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images
It can make falling asleep harder or make staying asleep more challenging.
For some, just the thought of climbing into bed each night can be anxiety-provoking.
This article explores the signs of sleep anxiety and the impact it can have on your life and health.
It also discusses the causes and potential treatments for sleep anxiety.
Unfortunately, sleep deprivation can then worsen symptoms of anxiety.
Symptoms include worrying about sleep and feeling stressed or anxious about the prospect of trying to fall asleep.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will ask questions about the symptoms you have been experiencing.
Certain medications or supplements may contribute to anxiety symptoms or sleep disturbances.
Your doctor may diagnose you with insomnia, an anxiety disorder, or both.
However, other factors or conditions can also play a role.
The specific treatment your doctor recommends will depend on your diagnosis.
Why Do I Get Anxiety When I have a go at Sleep?
In many cases, sleep anxiety represents a form of performance anxiety.
Performance anxiety is atype of anxietyfocused on a person’s ability to perform a certain task.
In the case of sleep anxiety, this fear centers on your ability to “perform” sleep.
Unfortunately, these concerns then make it even more difficult to drift off.
You might find yourself dreading going to bed each night.
Research has found that people who tend to sleep poorly also tend to experience more frequent and longer-lastingnegative thoughts.
Risk Factors for Sleep Anxiety
Sleep anxiety is sometimes connected to different types of mental health conditions.
However, certain medications may also be prescribed to help manage both acute and long-term anxiety.
How Do I Overcome Sleep Anxiety?
Helpful strategies include:
Mindful Moment
Need a breather?
Stay Physically Active
Regular exercise can help improve sleep and combat feelings of anxiety.
One study found exercise can help improve sleep quality.
Research has also shown that exercise can be helpful in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
Not only can it relieve symptoms of anxiety, but it may also be protective against future anxiety.
Anxiety can make it difficult to sleep, but poor sleep can also lead to increased feelings of anxiety.
2019;10:849. doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.00849
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
2019 Oct 7;:].Neuropsychopharmacology.
2020;45(1):55-73. doi:10.1038/s41386-019-0486-5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key sleep disorders.
2018;6:e5172.
doi:10.7717/peerj.5172
Kandola A, Stubbs B.Exercise and anxiety.Adv Exp Med Biol.
2020;34(6):334-344. doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000415
