Stress and Sleep

Stress is a complex condition with emotional, cognitive, and biological factors. Excessive stress causes long- and short-term disability in the various human systems.The stress responses differ depending on the type of stress and the individual’s physiological responses. Since the body’s stress systems play a critical role in adapting to a continuously changing and challenging environment, the human body mobilizes defensive processes in an adaptive effort to maintain homeostasis. If these defenses fail, various difficulties including sleep difficulties may occur.

Men and women respond to stress differently. Also personality traits make the response different. Some might be in the habit of expressing their worries and anxieties, however others might like to keep them bottled up. It is important that we make the right choices for our health.

Sleep : How is it important?

Sleep is an important component of human homeostasis. Sleep difficulties are closely associated with significant medical,psychological and social disturbances.
Researchers have identified a variety of practices and habits—known as “sleep hygiene”—that can help anyone maximize the hours they spend sleeping, even those whose sleep is affected by insomnia, jet lag, or shift work. If one is not sleeping right, the same affects normal day to day activities and also affects the mood and the personality of the person. Due to lack of sleep people are not able to relax and a small happening can also act as a trigger leading to an emotional breakdown or outburst.

What to do to sleep right?

The following are the recommendations for people looking forward to a good sleep. People who have been struggling with sleep due to stress should also follow the given points :

• One should turn his bedroom into a Sleep-Inducing Environment as a quiet, dark, and cool environment which promotes sound sleep.

• One should avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine, and Other Chemicals that Interfere with Sleep.

• Establish a Soothing Pre-Sleep Routine and avoid stressful, stimulating activities—doing work, discussing emotional issues.

• Try not to be a Nighttime Clock-Watcher, Staring at a clock in your bedroom, either when you are trying to fall asleep or when you wake in the middle of the night, that can actually increase stress, making it harder to fall asleep.

• Turn your clock’s face away from you and  Keep Your Internal Clock Set with a Consistent Sleep Schedule. Having a regular sleep schedule helps to ensure better quality and consistent sleep.

• Lighten Up on Evening Meals and finishing dinner several hours before bedtime also help in good quality sleep. Having balanced fluid intake and drinking enough fluid at night to keep from waking up thirsty also enances good sleep but avoid so much fluid close to bedtime which may awaken by the need for a trip to the bathroom.

Exercise helps promote restful sleep if it is done several hours before you go to bed.

If these steps are taken up on routine basis, it has long lasting impact on one’s physical and mental health as well.