In the past few years, Americans have been going through a lot ranging from the never-ending political polarization, the COVID-19 pandemic and sky-high prices, which has left many stressed out. New research has now revealed that this stress is making one in every five Americans not sleep at night.
Americans are sleeping less due to stress.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre researchers conducted a national survey showing that one-fifth of Americans struggle to fall asleep at night.
Professor of internal medicine Dr Aneesa Das said that at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, there had witnessed a 29% increase in insomnia referrals since 2018. Stress can increase blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tightness and upset stomach. These things all heighten attentiveness and make it challenging to fall asleep.
There are several alleged ways to aid individuals in falling asleep more quickly. Still, anybody battling a severe case of sleeplessness knows a restful night’s sleep is frequently elusive. According to the report, most Americans resort to comfortable but unproductive nocturnal pastimes. A whopping 47% of people admit to browsing through their smartphones right before bedtime, and 37% regularly try to sleep with the TV on.
Artificial light from TV and phone affects the circadian clock responsible for sleep
Prof Das says the circadian clock that tells people when to sleep and when to stay awake is usually driven by light. Therefore, when one watches TV or uses their smartphone before bedtime, they increase exposure to bright light at the wrong time, making falling asleep difficult.
One way to improve onset and sleep quality is by increasing exposure to natural light by spending more time outside. Minimizing exposure to artificial light and following a regular exercise routine can also be helpful.
Besides simple behavioural adjustments, you should keep the bedroom quiet and dark. Cognitive behaviour therapies such as muscle relaxation and meditation can help one sleep better. It is recommended that you should follow a regular sleep/wake routine, even during weekends.
