(Anxieties • Worries • Feelings)
Do your thoughts and feelings interfere with your sleep? Do your anxieties keep you up at night? The mind sleep factor is powerful. Everyone’s had those sleepless nights when their mind wouldn’t stop racing as worries, stresses and negative feelings piled on top of one another. A difficult day can keep us awake regardless of physical exhaustion. As stress hormones peak at night, our sleep can be disrupted simply because our mind cannot rest. And, when we don’t rest at night, we struggle to be our best selves the next day.
How we assess this sleep factor
Stress, anxiety and negative thoughts have been shown to not only minimize the amount of sleep we get each night, but they can also reduce the quality of those hours while increasing the risk of insomnia. Sleep isn’t simply a moment for us to rest – it’s a time when the body repairs itself and the mind processes the day. An anxious or depressed person who can’t sleep because of these symptoms can easily get locked into a vicious cycle that causes more sleeplessness, which in turn worsens their mental state. Studies have found that an erratic schedule and the inability to reduce external distractions (including our connection to digital devices) can affect sleep already mired in negative moods.
The mind can be a powerful obstacle to sleep, but there are many tools. Meditation apps or aromatherapy, that can help create calm. A study from the University of Sussex suggested that reading for as little as six minutes may reduce stress levels by more than two-thirds. And, exercise is no slouch, either – research has shown that just a few minutes of physical activity can reduce anxiety and foster better sleep.
Explore More
There are lots of ways you can remedy the Mind Sleep Factor. Below are some resources that can help you get started in your journey. Remember, each person is different and there’s no silver bullet in sleep wellness. But, you can count on us to help you get the rest you need. If you need us, we’re here.
Learn more about the Somn sleep factors:
Resources to help with the mind sleep factor:
- The Somn Sleep Journal
- Mind Racing Can’t Sleep: 15 Expert Tips to Help You Sleep Better
- 7 Reasons to Keep a Sleep Journal for Better Sleep
- Muse2: restful nights & mindful mornings
- About the Somn Sleep Assessment
Explore Your Sleep