Sleep anxiety: latest research & effective treatments

Everyone spends 1/3rd of the life time in sleep. Sleep is very important for our homeostasis and maintenance of health. The body spends this time to heal and repair. We all have two types of sleep, Rapid Eye movement (REM) sleep and Non Rapid Eye movement (NREM) sleep. In every night ,we spend these two types of sleep in cycles and these effect the pattern of our awake status. If you have more REM sleep, then you are prone for tiredness and wake up remembering your dreams. On other hand, if you wake up while NREM sleep, you are prone to have stress less morning, feel fresh and mostly you will forget the dreams u had.

Sleep anxiety is more related to the continuous activation of the brain without appropriate relaxation. As a result the person has limited drive for sleep leading to fear of sleep as it progresses. This can be because of life style changes, more screen time, various stressors etc.

The person with sleep anxiety is more prone to severe symptoms of lack of concentration, lethargy, changes in the heart rate, prone to less immunity and aggression.

Treatment options including relaxation techniques which includes and not limiting to intensive muscular relaxation, increasing sensory stimulation and cognitive behavioural therapy.