Experiencing Nighttime Anxiety? Avoid Doing These Things At Night

Anxiety often picks up pace when you are resting or when your body is at ease with many reporting their anxiety peaking at night, disrupting sleep. Although there is no clear reason why you get nighttime anxiety or panic attacks but a recent study published in the PNAS, explains that trouble sleeping due to unwanted, popping-up memories are common in various mental health problems. Th study found that when people don't get enough sleep, they struggle to control these intrusive memories. Using brain scans, the researhcers saw that this happens primarily due to the malfunctioning of the brain areas that normally help stop unwanted memories from coming up. Basically, implying to sleep loss messing up the brain's ability to block unwanted memories.

Habits That Can Cause To Nighttime Anxiety

There are many things that can make this anxiety worse as well! It's common to find yourself wide awake at night, replaying the day's events or scrolling through your phone. This happens because, as the day's distractions fade, your mind is left alone with its thoughts. According to a global survey 42% people struggle with sleep due to anxiety and 27% due work-related stress. The brain doesn't easily switch from high alert to sleep mode. Habits like checking work emails or late-night screen time keep the nervous system active. Bright lights and stimulating activities prevent the brain from slowing down, leading to lighter, less restful sleep.

Doom-scrolling

Spending too much time looking at bad news or endless videos on your phone can make you feel stressed. It's like your brain is playing a game where it keeps looking for something new, but it never relaxes. This makes your body release stress hormones, which keep you awake. Instead, try to stop looking at screens a few hours before bed. Read a book or write in a journal to help your mind calm down.

Checking Work Emails

Reading or answering work emails at night makes your brain think about work problems. This keeps you alert and makes it hard to relax. The bright light from screens also stops your body from making the sleep hormone. Try turning off work notifications and stopping work emails a few hours before bed. This will give your brain time to unwind.

Taking Certain Medications Too Late

Some medicines, like those for ADHD, can keep you awake if you take them too late. These medicines make your brain more alert, like drinking coffee. If you're having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor. They might be able to change when you take your medicine or change the dose.

Having Caffeinated Drinks

Drinks like coffee, soda, and tea have caffeine, which keeps you awake. Caffeine stays in your body for a long time, so even if you drink it in the afternoon, it can still affect your sleep at night. Try to stop drinking caffeine by lunchtime. In the evening, drink herbal tea instead.

Eating Heavy Meals Before Bedtime

Eating big meals before bed can cause stomach problems and make it hard to sleep. Also, eating too early can mess with your body's sleep schedule. Try to stop eating a few hours before bed. If you're hungry, have a light snack. Avoid drinking alcohol close to bedtime as well.