If anxiety is keeping you up at night, you’re not alone.
Anxiety and sleep have acomplex, bidirectional relationship.
Anxiety at night can keep you from sleeping, while lack of sleep can increase your anxiety.
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At a Glance
If you find yourself lying awake worrying, you’re not alone.
Anxiety at night is a common problem that can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
What Causes Anxiety at Night?
Theres no one easy explanation as to why anxiety increases at night for some people.
Instead, it can be the result of a variety of factors.
Symptoms of nighttime anxiety may be similar to those you experience during the day.
Or they may be specific to the evening hours.
When you start to feel anxious, it triggers the body’sstress response.
Sleep deprivation can have a major impact on your functioning, quality of life, and overall health.
Plus, it can become a vicious cycle.
Loss of sleep can also trigger anxiety at night, creating a vicious cycle.
Nocturnal panic attacks can awaken you from sleep and leave you feeling tired throughout the following day or days.
You may also find yourself developingsleep anxiety, where you feel anxious about not being able to fall asleep.
You are likely far too busy or preoccupied to stop and ponder how you want your evening to be.
However, setting an intention early makes you more likely to get the desired results.
Remembering to set an intention is easier when you mark a certain point in your day for it.
Another option can be to set an alarm that reminds you to set your intention for a nice evening.
By making an effort to be more mindful, you may be better able to enjoy your evening.
Leave Some Extra Transition Time
Transition time is the time that is needed between tasks.
Many of us underestimate how much transition time is needed.
That way you will avoid feeling overwhelmed, trying to cram too much in before bedtime.
Being prepared is one of the best things to do to avoid this punch in of anxiety.
Putting a small amount of effort into preparation can help keep evening anxiety under control.
Doing so allows you to feel calmer and may be the prompt you better get a good nights rest.
Your bedtime routine should be established to help set you up for better rest.
Dont include any activities that may be too overstimulating, such as scrolling through social media or watching TV.
Instead, make your routine calming and quiet, leading up to you falling asleep.
They can rule out any medical or sleep conditions contributing to your nighttime anxiety.
Calming your anxiety at night can take some practice, but it is possible.
How do you stop panic attacks at night?
Why is anxiety worse at night?
Unfortunately, there is not an easy explanation.
Takeaways
If your anxiety is making it difficult to function, reach out for professional help.
Schedule an appointment with your physician or reach out to a mental health professional.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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