Whether you are at home alone or in a house full of people, working full-time or searching for a new job, the added stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic can take a toll on your ability to sleep. If you are experiencing sleepless nights, it isn’t insomnia. There’s actually a new term for what you are experiencing: It’s called, “coronasomnia.”
Understanding coronasomnia
Even if you try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, you might find you’re still having sleepless nights. If you find yourself watching the news before bed or searching social media at night, it can lead to increased stress and anxiety. As your head hits the pillow, your thoughts might race into overdrive.
That anxiety over coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, is leading to coronasomnia, which is an epidemic inside a pandemic. Even children can feel the stress from the pandemic, causing sleep issues for them as well.
Losing sleep can affect the immune system
Stress can lead to sleep deprivation and insomnia, which, in turn, can make you even more stressed. But that can also lead to immune system issues. What researchers have found is that people who do not get good, quality sleep, or enough sleep each night, are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus. Lack of sleep can also affect your recovery after being sick. To avoid that double whammy, you need to pay attention to your sleep and stress levels.
Some factors that are impacting and contributing to coronasomnia include:
- Information overload from social media or news outlets.
- Excessive exposure to blue light from phone and computer screens.
- Loss of daytime and nighttime routines and structure.
- Depressed mood and daytime napping.
To overcome coronasomnia, it is recommended that people try the following tips:
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
- Limit exposure to the news.
- Decrease screen time before bed.
- Find time to wind down.
- Avoid napping throughout the day.
- Exercise daily.
- Evaluate your room.
If you are still having trouble sleeping, contact us at AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions to learn more. There is a chance you may suffer from sleep apnea.