The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on people’s lives in so many ways. People have lost their jobs, they have found it extremely difficult to pay their bills, and they have been isolated from their friends and family. It has been challenging for everyone, and you undoubtedly feel the effects of this strange time that we are all living through. But, did you know that the pandemic is capable of affecting not just your mental and emotional state, but also your sleep quality?
During the Pandemic, More People Are Having Trouble Getting Enough Sleep
According to Science Alert, more and more people have been experiencing sleep disruptions since the coronavirus outbreak. Individuals might have difficulty falling asleep, they might have trouble staying asleep, or they might even have really strange dreams that are surprisingly vivid. If you are one of those people, rest assured that you are not alone!
Why Is the Pandemic Causing Poor Quality Sleep?
If you’re like a lot of people, you might assume that having loads of extra time on your hands would give you the chance to get more sleep, not less. Unfortunately, the opposite has been true for many people who are realizing that they aren’t sleeping as well as they used to.
What could be causing this? Well, being told to stay at home might cause your sleep schedule to be thrown off course. You might find yourself staying up much later than you normally would, and that might lead to you sleeping in later. Or, you might discover that your sleep schedule varies from one night to the next, so you lose the consistency that is an important part of getting good quality rest.
Of course, this is not the case for everyone, as some people have been able to take advantage of the fact that they can’t go out and socialize. They’ve chosen to take it easy and get more shuteye.
What Can You Do?
If you are experiencing a reduction in the quality of your sleep, regardless of how many hours you are getting, you are sure to feel miserable during the day. Not fun!
Here are some steps to consider taking to help yourself get back on track:
- Follow guidelines for social distancing, wearing a mask, etc. so you can go outside for a bit during the day. Being more active might help you get more rest at night.
- In the same way that going out into the sunshine can be beneficial, getting some exercise might also help get your body on a better sleep schedule. Even if you have to exercise at home, the key is to just get it done.
- Consider taking a sleep supplement that can help you fall asleep, and stay asleep, with greater ease.
If you’ve tried all of the above, and you are really struggling, talk to your doctor about your inability to get the rest that you need.
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