(Newswire.net — May 4, 2018) — There’s a good chance that you’re suffering from sleep deprivation. It’s not just feeling tired though, the symptoms of sleep deprivation can manifest in some funny ways. So what causes sleep deprivation and how can you tell if you have it? We broke down some of the things that might be causing your sleep to suffer, and what you can do when the symptoms of sleep deprivation start to rear their ugly head.
Too Many Screens Can Cause Tired Eyes and Tired Brains
We live in a time where technology rules. That’s great when you want to find a great place to eat or need to text a friend about the best new Netflix show, but it’s not so great when you’re trying to sleep. Most screens are it a phone, computer, or tablet emit artificial blue light like crazy. When the blue light is absorbed by your eyes, it messes up your circadian rhythm and can lead to your body trying to stay awake, even when it should be gearing down for the night.
While being tired is always a bummer, there can be some much worse long-term symptoms of sleep deprivation that are linked to being exposed to artificial light at night. Some doctors have posited that extended exposure to this sort of light can lead to cancer, diabetes, and obesity. If you’re feeling like your screen is causing you to lose sleep at night, try keeping your phone and computer away from the bedroom. Designating that space specifically for sleep is a good way both physically and mentally to reinforce the idea that the bedroom is for sleep only. No screens allowed!
Anxiety Can Cause a Vicious Cycle of Sleeplessness
Anxiety is an ever-present concern in the 21st century. We’re constantly zooming around everywhere, trying not to disappoint anyone, and generally packing too much into our days. By the time we get home, our emotional clock can be revving. While some stress and anxiety are ok and even normal, too much can be a symptom of sleep deprivation.
Anxiety is a vicious cycle: when we don’t sleep enough, we get anxious, and when we get too anxious, we can’t fall asleep. This isn’t just popular thinking, a new study in the journal of neuroscience called sleep deprivation a trigger for anxiety. That means the sleep you aren’t getting could be making your anxiety even worse. That’s a depressing thought, but luckily there are all kinds of ways that you can relieve stress before bed to help deal with anxiety and make sure you’re getting the rest you deserve. Try doing meditation for five to ten minutes before bed to relieve any residual stress that may be pent up. If that doesn’t work and you’re lying in bed thinking about how you aren’t sleeping: get up! Getting up and doing something else until you feel tired is a good way to let your brain and body reset to get on the same page.
You Are What You Eat (and it Can Keep You from Sleep)
We all know that drinking caffeine right before bed is a big no-no, but did you know that there are other foods that can totally keep you up when you should be sleeping? Rich, fatty foods can do a number on your digestive system and cause all sorts of symptoms of sleep deprivation, including waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to sleep. While it can be fun to get the midnight munchies, it’s important to look at what you’re eating before bed to make sure that it isn’t affecting your mattress time too much.
If you think that eating before bed has you tossing and turning when you should be sleeping, maybe try to mix in some healthier options. Some fruit like bananas or cherries has some sleep-inducing properties or try munching on some almonds. The best option as always is to not eat before bed at all. Give your stomach time to rest before you do (at least an hour or two) and you should miss out on the indigestion mattress blues.
A Bad Mattress Can Be a Terrible End to a Perfect Evening
Perhaps the biggest thing you can do for your sleep is to get a mattress that cares as much about the symptoms of insomnia as you do. Often, we wait too long to replace our mattresses, giving us lumpy, uneven mattresses that can cause all kinds of symptoms of sleep deprivation. A new mattress can give you a new lease on sleep, and with all kinds of advances in memory foam, Tencel cooling covers, and building materials, we can definitely recommend you try a NECTAR. It’s a great way to fight your symptoms of sleep deprivation so you can be bright-eyed, well rested, and ready to face the day — just like a good mattress should. Let’s make 2018 the year we beat sleep problems, now get to it!