Anxiety and stress have become a public health problem in our society. Hectic lifestyles, difficulties balancing family and work life or lack of exercise and proper nutrition are some of the reasons that can contribute to sleep disorders. The current pace of life, family demands, competitiveness and certain personal and family expectations, which are often unrealistic, ultimately generate a constant state of anxiety and nervousness, which can easily lead to a number of serious mental and physical disorders.
Chronic stress can lead to very serious consequences for your health. It occurs when there are prolonged states of nervousness and alertness in the body, even in the absence of threats. It causes changes in blood pressure, skin or heart rate.
One of the symptoms or perhaps one of the consequences of chronic stress is sleep disturbance. In addition, this condition can turn into a vicious circle, as nervousness does not allow you to rest properly, and lack of sleep creates additional stress.
What is a sleep disorder?
By sleep disorders, we mean all sleep-related problems such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during the night, falling asleep at inappropriate times, falling asleep involuntarily, sleeping too much, and any other abnormal sleep-related characteristics.
Four types can be distinguished:
- Insomnia
- It is associated with inability or difficulty falling asleep.
- Drowsiness
- Problems associated with excessive lethargy during the day, which makes it difficult to perform daily activities.
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty sleeping or following a regular sleep schedule.
There are other types of abnormal behaviors or behaviors that interrupt rest, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or sleepwalking, that are less related to stress and anxiety.
The causes of sleep disorders are varied and can be caused by physical problems such as certain diseases or psychological problems such as depression.
Consequences of lack of sleep
Lack of sleep and rest associated with states of nervousness, anxiety, stress or depression can lead to chronic diseases and serious health consequences associated with obesity, diabetes, heart problems or, in women, menstrual irregularities.
States of exhaustion can also be a cause of psychological illness. For this, it is important to learn to relax and acquire good sleep, diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle habits. Some practices such as yoga, meditation, tai chi or chi kung can help and contribute to achieving more focused mental states. It is also important not to look at the phone, computer or other screens before going to bed and to perform breathing exercises before going to bed or even when already in bed.