Do you spend your nights tossing and turning, unable to turn off your thoughts? Stress will do that to you, and of course, poor sleep tends to lead to more stress. It’s a vicious cycle that can seriously impact your health and wellbeing if it’s not broken. You can get back control, though, and here’s how:
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Bedtime Routines
You should establish a soothing, stress-free routine in the hour leading up to bedtime. Stressful activities and situations cause your body to release the stress hormone cortisol, which increases alertness. Instead of scrolling through social media, doing work, or watching the news, read a book, take a bath, or practice mindfulness techniques.
Whatever your routine may be, the most important thing is that you keep it consistent. Going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning helps synchronize your body’s internal clock. Eventually, sleep will come naturally and not feel forced because it’s what your body’s expecting.
Natural Sleep Aids
Though they’re not as bad as painkillers, sleeping pills can still be addictive — so try some natural sleep aids before you go down that route. Melatonin’s wonderful because our bodies naturally produce the hormone to signal to our brains that it’s time to sleep. You can find melatonin supplements in any drug store or supermarket, and they’re shown to help some get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. Moreover, lavender, passionflower, and valerian root are herbal remedies that have been used to improve sleep for generations. Try drinking a cup of herbal tea with these ingredients before bed.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another fantastic best sleep aid that’s found in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive but has some of of the same medicinal qualities like chronic pain relief and helping reduce inflammation. It also significantly helps with stress, anxiety, depression, and — you guessed it — sleep issues. CBD products such as Papa And Barkley made from hemp are legal in the U.S. and range from oils, tinctures, edibles, to CBD hemp cigarettes. These CBD cigarettes contain no nicotine and are great for first-time smokers or tobacco smokers who are trying to quit.
When to Consider Therapy
Lots of people are feeling stressed this year, especially being cooped up in their homes. You may just need to blow off some steam, and a retail therapy session could do the trick if that’s the case. You’re probably thinking, “What stores are open that sell women’s clothes near me?” Don’t even worry about it, because you can order high-quality clothing and accessories online at Chico’s. Browse dresses, jumpsuits, new arrivals — and of course, the clearance section to find the best deals. With free shipping and a great refund and return policy, you can shop worry-free and get to sleep knowing you’ve got a pick-me-up on the way. Fair warning: Retail therapy can be really helpful in moderation but can lead to other problems if it crosses the line into compulsive shopping.
If you’re feeling perpetually anxious to the point where it’s affecting your ability to relax, sleep, or eat — you may need actual counseling and therapy. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a psychiatrist or therapist, despite the taboos that still linger around mental health. While in-person sessions are still limited because of the pandemic, teletherapy is a fantastic way to connect with a counselor. In fact, you may find that you prefer teletherapy to in-person therapy. Working through your anxiety issues with online therapy may be your best option if you’ve tried everything and still have a hard time sleeping due to stress.
Sleep issues can take a toll on your physical and mental health, so don’t just brush this off. Whether it’s with teletherapy, CBD, or ASMR — if you’re having trouble sleeping due to stress, find a remedy that works for you.
