While Ive always been prone to anxiety, its nighttime anxiety that I now struggle with the most.
For Sleep Week you might save 27% on everything at Helix with codeTOMS27.
All mattresses come with a limited lifetime warranty and 100-night trial.Preferred partner(what does this mean?)
What is nighttime anxiety?
It can involve racing thoughts, unease, or even panic about things that may not be important.
Other common symptoms include:
But what differentiates this from daytime anxiety?
The quiet of the night often makes these worries feel bigger and more overwhelming, says Dr Hafeez.
This can create a cycle whereanxiety keeps you awake, and lack of sleep makes the anxiety worse.
Why is my anxiety usually worse at night?
However, its not just the lack of distractions.
As we transition to a sleeping state, our physical state changes, too.
Here are Dr Hafeez’s top tips for coping…
1.
Avoid distressing content before bed
An effective and calmingnighttime routineis essential for drifting off to sleep with ease.
Its unlikely youll be able to scroll happily without distressing images seeping in.
Try aromatherapy or soothing sounds
Your sleeping environment is just as important as your mind and body.
Think lovely smells and soothing sounds.
Practice deep breathing exercises
The way we breathe can have a huge impact on the nervous system.
It’s supposed to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and calm your body and mind.
Limit naps during the day
If you’re experiencing anxiety or depression, it can be exhausting.
However, Dr Hafeez warns against excessive napping.
Tom’s Guide created this content as part of a paid partnership with Helix Sleep.
The contents of this article are independent and solely reflect the editorial opinion of Tom’s Guide.
