Importance Of Quality Sleep In Managing Stress

Achieving Good Quality Sleep is vital in any effective Stress Management Program. Insomnia and other sleep disturbances is a common symptom of stress but it is also can be a major cause of anxiety and stress.

Sleep Deprivation

We know long term sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of mental health and health problems including diabetes, heart disease, obesity. But the thing most of us notice is how much it seriously reduces our coping mechanisms and stress tolerance levels.

Symptoms Of Poor Quality Sleep

Poor quality sleep and sleep deprivation can seriously affect our emotional, mental and physical resistance; our health and wellbeing.

It can cause a wide range of symptoms such as

• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Irritability
• Lack of motivation
• Low mood and Depression
• long-term insomnia 
• Lack of concentration and focus
• Poor memory
• Increased appetite, cravings for carbohydrates
• Difficulty learning new concepts
• Increased Anxiety
• Increased Stress Levels

That is why doing what you can to improve your sleep in managing stress, anxiety and even health issues is vital.

Symptoms Of Good Quality Sleep

Good quality sleep brings the body into a state of Rest, Repair and Restore that is restorative sleep in manging stress and chronic anxiety is the foundation of any stress program.

Deep refreshed sleep supports the body into a natural state of homeostasis and balance. It encourages the body off the chronic stress cycle into a state of peace, relaxation and a deeper state of well being. Achieving deep quality sleep in managing stress and anxiety can help you

• Wake up feeling rested and refreshed
• Wake up with more energy and vitality
• You generally have a better mood and more motivation
• Increased concentration and focus
• Improved memory
• Less likely to overeat and have unhealthy cravings
• Stress Resilience – Manage Stress more effectively

The 3 R’S for deep REST, RESTORE and REPAIR

RELAXATION

Learn to RELAX deeply and effectively. To achieve quality sleep it is necessary to learn how to relax and switch off. Learn how to encourage the body from the hyper-arousal state off the stress response into the relaxed response. Make sure your bedroom and bed is a place of relaxation, a place of comfort.

ELIMINATE AND REDUCE STIMULANTS

Reduce stimulants in your environment, your mind, your body especially in the evening. Seriously look at reducing environmental stimulants in your every day life. For example reduce exposure to electromagnetic waves and the blue ray; mobile phones, i-pads, laptops, microwaves, electricity cables. Reduce mental stimulation worrying about the past or the future.
Eliminate and reduce internal stimulants/toxins such as alcohol, aspartame, caffeine, drugs, sugar.

ROUTINE

Create and commit to a healthy bedtime ritual each evening, encourage a period of unwinding for all the family at least 30 minutes before bedtime; dim lights, sounds, stimulation etc encourage relaxing hobbies such as listening to soft music, relaxing bath, reading, relaxation techniques. Go to bed the same time each evening.

Eileen Burns is a Stress Management Expert, healer and therapist who teaches and provides highly powerful Anxiety, Stress and Sleep Therapy Programs.

She has been studying stress management and holistic well-being, healing for over 20 years and is owner of Stress Coach Training School.