Connection Between Anxiety and Sleep Issues

01 Feb Connection Between Anxiety and Sleep Issues

There are many different types of mental health issues out there, and the single most common type are anxiety disorders. These affect nearly 20 percent of the American population in some way, and one of the more common symptoms for those who suffer from anxiety is sleep disruption.

At 2 Brothers Mattress, we offer a wide range of mattresses and adjustable beds to help combat anxiety and other conditions that may be impacting sleep. The connection between these areas is one researchers are always looking to understand at a higher level – here’s a bit of what we do know currently, and how these two are inextricably linked.

Anxiety Effects on Sleep

For those who deal with anxiety, whether it’s a regular condition or only crops up periodically before big events of some kind, sleep can be a battle every night. It can take the mind a painfully long time to quiet down and get to a place where sleep is possible, with thoughts and worries constantly running around in your head.

Over time, this effect becomes one that compounds itself. What happens, for instance, when someone tells you not to think of a green elephant? That’s right, you think of a green elephant. The same effect is present for sleep – for all our efforts to remove “go to sleep” from our minds when struggling to get to bed, that’s exactly what will come to the forefront. Researchers call this “psychophysiological insomnia,” or a condition where the bed and bedroom have become worrisome, stressful areas rather than those where relaxation can be achieved.

This condition is often tied directly to daytime anxiety, and often has to be addressed at the root. This can include addressing physical areas like the mattress, as well as several others.

Sleep Effects on Anxiety

Unfortunately, research has shown that this entire issue is a vicious cycle. Anxiety is known to raise significantly in people who do not sleep well, creating a situation where every day seems to get worse in this area. Many react by mistakenly reaching out to crutches like sleeping pills or other temporary solutions, but these are really just putting Band-Aids on larger issues in many cases.

Rather, as we noted above, the answer here relates to addressing the source of anxiety to begin with. This often includes working with counselors or therapists who know how to use cognitive behavioral therapy, but it also regularly includes making important changes to sleep quality areas like your mattress or bed frame. These kinds of changes can set the mind at ease knowing it’s better situated for sleep, which can in turn decrease anxiety and interrupt the cycle.

For more on the connection between sleep and anxiety, or to learn about any of our mattresses, speak to the staff at 2 Brothers Mattress today.