Feeling Stressed Out? Your Mattress May Be To Blame

December 19, 2017
When looking at the mattresses San Diego has for sale, you might be wondering whether you really need a new mattress.  Is your current mattress more than 10 years old?  If so, experts say it’s time to replace it.  Even if it’s less than 10 years old, you may have been noticing yourself tossing and turning each night, unable to get comfortable.  That inability to let your body sink into the restorative levels of deep sleep might just be impacting more than your aching back and neck.

Lack Of Sleep Causes Stress

Are you feeling more anxious, stressed out, and upset lately?  Before you blame tensions at the office or the jerks on your daily commute, here’s an interesting fact: scientists have found that not only can stress disrupt sleep, but lack of sleep can actually exacerbate or even cause feelings of stress and anxiety.  Without regular, adequate amounts of deep sleep, your body’s regulation systems can’t produce the balanced hormones you need to feel your best.

 

Stress Causes Lack Of Sleep

While we can all remember having a sleepless night while worrying about some large problem, stress doesn’t have to be intense to disrupt your sleep habits.  One study found that even working in a job where employees have to pretend to be cheerful all day–which causes mild, constant anxiety–can cause a significant spike in insomnia.  If you’re keeping track, you’re realizing that we’ve now got the makings of a vicious circle.  If stress causes a lack of sleep, and lack of sleep causes stress, how on earth can you get enough rest, short of moving to a Zen monastery?

 

Taking Control Of Your Sleep

Thankfully, the vows you have to take in order to ensure a good night’s rest aren’t religious, just practical.  Try the following strategies to help get your mind and body back on track:

  • Manage your stress.  Whether through therapy, exercise, meditation, or social support, stress can be managed and reduced.

  • Keep a consistent bedtime, and get up at the same time every day. Give your hormones a fighting chance to normalize.

  • Avoid tablets and screens in bed. The blue light tricks your brain into being wakeful.

  • Avoid stimulants within a few hours before bed.  Caffeine and alcohol can prevent you from getting the rest you need.

  • Use your bed only for sleep and sex. This makes your body more likely to associate the bed with sleeping, not reading or watching exciting television.

Life is difficult enough as it is without dealing with added stress.  Tonight, take some simple steps to reduce your load, and have a better tomorrow.

 

Sources:

Lack Of Sleep And Stress – www.huffingtonpost.com

Tired But Can’t Fall Asleep – www.huffingtonpost.com