Stress often plays a factor in sleep disorders, like insomnia, that affect millions of people. Results of a poll conducted for the National Sleep Foundation found that 1/3 of Americans were losing sleep due to stress over their own personal financial concerns and the lackluster state of the U.S. economy. Experts say that job-related stress is one of the most common reasons why people lie awake, tossing and turning when they would rather be sleeping. The rub is that employees who fail to get enough sleep are often less productive, which only adds to their stress level.
Sleep-Promoting Behavior
People who are having trouble sleeping because of job-related or other types of stress should allow their minds to wind down before going to bed. That means halting work, phone calls, emails and other mentally arousing or stimulating activities. Spend the last hour of the day reading or listening to soothing music. Also remember that the bedroom is not the place for watching TV or having conversations at bedtime. Your sleeping area should be cool, dark, quiet and comfortable. If you are unable to fall sleep within a short period of time or wake up during the night, get up and go to another room until you are sleepy again.
Over-the-counter sleep aids can be effective when used for a brief period, especially in combination with a sleep-promoting behavior program.
When to Seek Help
It is not uncommon for a person who is dealing with an unusual amount of stress to experience insomnia. This type of sleep problem usually goes away when an individual's stress load returns to normal. However, people need to be aware that extended bouts of insomnia can lead to decreased mental functioning and an increased risk of depression, heart problems and diabetes. If a person's sleep problems continue for weeks or months, it's time to seek help. There are sleep centers throughout the U.S. that are staffed by specialists who are trained to identify sleep disorders. After a diagnosis is reached, a number of prescription medications are available that can usually provide relief from sleepless nights.
