We have all probably heard before that a full night's rest is one of the best things you can do for yourself, but how important is it really? Prioritizing your sleep can lead to more energy throughout the day, a clearer mental state, and complete physical recuperation. The question is, how does stress get in the way of your ideal night of sleep?
What is Stress?
Many things can contribute to stress and chances are you have felt overwhelmed and worried at various times in your life. Whether it’s deadlines at your job, family troubles, or just an abundance of tasks you have to complete, stress can present itself in your life and be all-consuming.
Stress is both a physical and emotional response to the challenges life throws your way. This comes in many forms and it varies from person to person. Some examples can be forgetting to eat, taking up a nervous habit, becoming very chatty, or even lashing out at others around you during a period where you are stressed. However, one of the main things that are affected at the hands of stress is your sleep schedule.
Maintaining a good sleep schedule is so incredibly important to your emotional and physical well-being. However, when stress presents itself, it can disrupt this vital aspect of your life. There are a few main ways stress contributes to sleep loss:
- Stress Dreams/Nightmares
- Affecting your REM sleep
- Trouble falling asleep/Insomnia
- Trouble staying asleep
Stress and Sleep
Stress and sleep are inversely related, whether we like it or not. The lack of one increases the other, which promotes an unhealthy cycle in your body. The presence of stress contributes to a lack of sleep, which in turn can create more stress.
If you are experiencing symptoms like restless sleeping, waking up often in the middle of the night, trouble falling asleep, or even an abundance of nightmares, chances are this is your body’s way of communicating to you that you need to reduce your stress.
Prioritizing your sleep is something that many people forget to make the choice to do, but it is so incredibly vital to your success and wellbeing. In order to do this, you need to find ways to reduce and manage your stress so that you can still get a full night’s sleep.
Make Time to Exercise
Physical exercise releases endorphins which increase the serotonin in our brains. This process alleviates the amount of stress we carry around, acting as a way to work out some of our mental issues and clear our heads. Even if it’s just a quick 10-minute walk around the block, prioritizing this time for yourself can promote a healthier lifestyle and, in turn, allow you to sleep better at night.
Set Work/Play Boundaries
Obligations and deadlines can sneak up on you and cause more stress than is healthy. It is important to set plans for yourself and keep yourself organized so that work gets done within the timeframe set aside for it. With this newfound time, you can start to relax, unwind, and decompress. Sticking with a strict work/play balance promotes mental wellbeing that will allow you to feel more relaxed when it comes time to sleep.
Find a Mattress You Love
Believe it or not, a bad mattress can begin to take its toll on your ideal sleep schedule. Combining an unfit mattress with an overload of stress can only cause further issues. It is important to take the time to find a mattress that’s right for you in order to better promote a healthy sleep life. At Wholesale Mattress Center, we have several different kinds of mattresses to choose from. Your perfect mattress is just a visit away!
Contact us today to discuss the different types of mattresses we offer and be on your way to a better night’s sleep as soon as possible.
