Is there anything better than a good night’s sleep? You wake up in a good mood and when you sit up and get out of bed, it’s as though your body thanks you for that rest. Contrast to the mornings when you wake up after a minimal amount of sleep. You don’t feel like yourself and you usually see dark circles under your eyes. You feel sluggish and would give anything for a few more hours of sleep. 

Growing evidence indicates that sleep is necessary for maintaining long-term health. The body can typically handle a few nights with minimal sleep, but it is not sustainable over time. There will be a price you pay if you continually get insufficient sleep, according to health experts. In this article, we’ll detail some of the health problems linked to sleep deprivation.

Type 2 Diabetes

People who experience minimal sleep or poor quality sleep tend to have poorer blood sugar control, especially in people with diabetes. Additionally, sleep deprivation can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to some studies. In a group of middle-aged Caucasians, researchers observed a strong connection between poor sleep quality and metabolic syndrome, fasting blood duster levels, insulin levels, and insulin resistance, a precursor for type 2 diabetes. 

Kidney Issues

Unfortunately, the link between insufficient sleep and kidney health has not been as firmly established as the link between poor sleep and other health conditions. Researchers note that people with chronic kidney disease tend to have sleep disorders, including restless leg syndrome and insomnia related to their condition. Some evidence shows that poor sleep quality may increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Researchers believe that the link could be related to disruptions to the circadian rhythm. 

Depression And Anxiety

According to research, people who have chronic insomnia have a higher rate of depression and anxiety. An estimated 40% of people with insomnia have clinical depression. The relationship between your mood and sleep is complex and bidirectional. That means that depression or anxiety can negatively impact sleep and lack of sleep can negatively affect your mood. Sleep experts consider insomnia to be an independent risk factor for developing mental health disorders, such as depression. You may need to address your sleep problems and anxiety or depression separately in order to improve your overall health. 

A Less Healthy Gut

The gut microbiome is a complex system of trillions of microorganisms found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Experts believe that the more diverse the microbiome, the better a person’s overall health is. Some studies suggest that altered sleep patterns, such as those consistent with night shift workers, may impact gut health. One study used Mendelian randomization, a method that looks at genetic variation to study the effects of different health variables. This study found that sleep issues may alter the abundance of bacteria in the gut. 

Hypertension, Stroke, And Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the smallest changes in sleep have been linked to heart issues. After the clocks change in March, there are 24% more heart attacks for the first three to four days. When the clocks “fall back” in November, the AHA estimates a 21% reduction in heart attacks because people gain an hour of sleep. Sleeping for five hours or less per night on a regular basis has been associated with a two to three times greater risk of coronary artery buildup. That decreases the flow of blood to your heart, so sleep deprivation may increase the risk of coronary artery disease. 

Reduced Immune Function

Sleep experts suggest that insufficient sleep or poor sleep quality can harm immune function. Evidence shows that poor sleep increases your susceptibility to various infections and illnesses. Studies show that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are three times more likely to develop the common cold compared with people who get eight hours or more of sleep per night. 

Additional research states that insufficient sleep can make it more difficult for the body to produce disease-fighting antibodies, specifically after receiving flu, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines. Participants who only slept four hours per night in the days before and following vaccination developed lower levels of antibodies compared to those who had great sleep. 

Weight Gain

Unfortunately, there is a strong connection between sleep issues and being overweight or having obesity. Failure to get enough sleep every night can cause a hormonal imbalance, and these are the hormones that regulate appetite. Ghrelin makes you feel hungry and leptin helps you feel full. Leptin levels tend to rise during sleep, so the theory is that insufficient sleep causes a decrease in those levels. That makes you feel hungrier, which leads to unnecessary eating. Additionally, sleep disturbances of any kind can increase the production of ghrelin, which increases appetite. Studies suggest that insufficient sleep can make people burn 100 more calories per day. While that sounds wonderful, the extra wake time increases how much people eat or drink by more than 250 calories per day. Over time, that can cause people to gain weight.

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Anxiety, stress, and overstimulation are a few of the factors that can cause you to toss and turn at night. If you have ever spent a night tossing and turning without getting more than a total hour of sleep, you understand the struggle. The sun rises and you are immediately in a bad mood because you were unsuccessful at getting proper shuteye. In this article, we will explore why tossing and turning occurs and how to put it to bed, pun fully intended. 

There are numerous reasons that cause you to toss and turn all night. Overstimulation, an underlying medical condition, anxiety, and more are all potential causes. Let’s take a closer look at more causes and how they impact your sleep. 

Feelings Of Stress

Stress can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms that can make it harder to fall asleep. High stress levels can cause tense muscles, which can make it difficult for your body to relax while lying in bed. A study from 2017 found that higher stress levels reduced overall sleep quality in medical students. 

Inconsistent Sleep Schedule

Going to bed when you are not tired, or going to bed too late or too early, can affect overall sleep quality. It seems strange that being overly tired can make it harder to fall asleep, but it happens a lot. The main thing researchers want you to know is that a consistent sleep schedule can reduce tossing and turning and increase sleep duration. 

Feeling Anxious

If you have an anxiety disorder, increased anxiety at night can make it harder to fall asleep and remain asleep. A 2017 study found that somatic anxiety significantly impacted sleep quality. An anxious or racing mind can make you feel restless, which can cause you to toss and turn more than normal. 

Being Overstimulated

The National Sleep Foundation notes that blue light from phones, TVs, and other electronic devices can delay the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Loud noises and bright lights from outside the bedroom can also stimulate the senses. The combination of blue light exposure and loud noises can cause you to toss and turn. 

Imbalanced Diet

Never underestimate the repercussions of a poor diet. There are nutrients in foods that support the body’s production of melatonin, in addition to other neurotransmitters that regulate sleep. An imbalance in these nutrients can make it more difficult to fall asleep. Keep track of the foods you eat and consider modifying your diet, focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean protein, whole grains, and legumes. 

Underlying Health Conditions

Certain health conditions can lead to poor sleep quality. The most common conditions that cause sleep troubles are as follows:

• Sleep apnea: This sleep disorder causes people to repeatedly stop breathing and breathe shallowly while sleeping. The interruption of your breath during sleep can impact your ability to sleep soundly; thus, you can toss, turn, and wake up frequently throughout the night. 
• Restless leg syndrome: This causes a person to have an overwhelming urge to move their legs. Researchers note that this restless sensation most commonly occurs when the body is at rest, such as lying down in bed. Due to the constant need for movement, people with this condition can experience frequent tossing and turning. 
• Insomnia: Characterized by the inability to fall or stay asleep, insomnia can cause people to rely on various things to achieve the smallest amount of sleep. Insomnia can also be caused by other health conditions. Insomnia can cause a lot of movement in bed, but is typically characterized by an inability to fall asleep. 

How To Stop Tossing And Turning At Night

If you frequently toss and when you finally lay your head to rest, you are in need of a good night’s sleep. Continue reading to learn how to improve sleep hygiene and reduce tossing and turning.

• Turn off the electronics at least one hour before bed to help prepare your body and mind for sleep. That means that you should not be looking at your phone or watching TV in that hour before bed. Choose to read a good book to help relax the body before bed. 
• Follow a consistent sleep schedule by aiming to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. Traveling, appointments, or concerts and performances can get in the way of your bedtime. Whenever possible, do your best to maintain a consistent sleep schedule in order to help your body fall asleep every night. 
• Establish good sleep hygiene by creating a bedroom that you feel comfortable sleeping in. Get yourself a high-quality bed and invest in bedding that suits your body. Perhaps you require cooling sheets or a flatter pillow. Whatever you need, do yourself a favor and make your body comfortable. You spend one-third of your life sleeping, so invest in yourself!
• Engage in exercise or some form of physical activity during the day to help improve sleep quality. Sitting, sitting, and more sitting will not burn off excess energy. If you find that you have a lot of energy at the end of the day, consider moving your body more throughout the day.
• Practice a variety of relaxation techniques to find out which one works best to calm your mind and body. Research indicates that various breathing techniques can help relax the body and improve sleep quality. You can engage in meditation, deep breathing, grounding techniques, or visualizing to ready the body for sleep.

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In 2020, data from a National Health Interview Survey found that 14.5% of adults had trouble falling asleep most days. The number of adults who had a hard time falling asleep increased as family income and educational attainment decreased. Additionally, the percentage continued to increase as family income decreased and the place of residence became more rural.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends seven to eight hours of sleep per night for optimal health. Over 25% of adults do not meet this recommendation on a regular basis. If you have a hard time falling asleep, that decreases your ability to get a sufficient amount of sleep per night. Sometimes, it is difficult to relax, and that can be the result of an irregular circadian rhythm. Instead of resorting to sleeping pills, since they have a long list of side effects, you may want to consider experimenting with the bedtime balm in this article. 

Does Lavender Promote Sleep?

One study compared the effects of lavender and sleep hygiene versus sleep hygiene alone on sleep quantity and quality. The goal was to determine if participants experienced a sustained effect two weeks after the study. Study authors noted that the lavender and sleep hygiene group demonstrated better sleep quality at the two-week follow-up. Additionally, study authors noted that the lavender group woke up feeling more refreshed. 

Several studies indicate that inhaling lavender aroma may help reduce anxiety. Scientists have found similar results for lavender’s effectiveness in treating depression. Lavender essential oil is also popular in aromatherapy because of its ability to promote relaxation and sleep. Some studies found that the use of lavender oil for aromatherapy improved sleep quality not only in people without sleep or mental health disorders, but also in people with depression, insomnia, and anxiety. Inhaling lavender essential oil’s aroma may also increase the time spent in deep, slow-wave sleep. 

Some research indicates that lavender may have a calming effect on the central nervous system. For this reason, lavender may benefit people who experience circadian rhythm disorders or occasionally sleeplessness. 

Where Do You Apply The Bedtime Balm?

Once you make the bedtime balm, apply a small amount to your wrists, collarbones, or temples when you get ready for bed. It is unclear how quickly the sleep balm works. It usually depends on how sensitive you are to the aromas in the balm. For the average person, it may start to calm you down and promote sleep in about 15-30 minutes. As with any natural remedy, though, it may take a few tries for it to be effective. Continue using it and experiment with different placements. Lastly, before we give you the recipe, make sure to do a small patch test on your arm and see if you have a reaction within 24 hours. 

DIY Bedtime Balm

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces beeswax pellets
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops myrrh essential oil
• 8 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 6 drops vetiver essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler or in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl. 
• While those ingredients are melting, prepare your lip balm containers to be filled. 
• Once the beeswax and coconut oil are melted, pour in the sweet almond oil and stir to combine. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture. 
• Let the mixture cool for about a minute and then add the essential oils. Stir until fully incorporated. 
• Pour the mixture into the containers and allow it to cool and solidify at room temperature. When fully cooled, the balm is ready to use. 
• To use, apply a small amount to your temples, wrists, collar bones, or back of your neck. You can even place a small amount on your pillow to help you sleep.

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Sleep is the thing everyone needs more of but can’t quite seem to follow through on. It’s no secret that lots of people experience sleep difficulties and disturbances. In fact, somewhere between 35% to 50% of adults worldwide regularly experience insomnia symptoms. Some people require medications, drugs, or alcohol to fall asleep, while others can fall asleep in no time by just lying down. 

Meditation is a useful tool to help calm the mind and reduce stress. As a relaxation technique, meditation may help enhance inner peace and quiet the mind. When done before bedtime, meditation can help reduce insomnia and sleep troubles by promoting calmness. Continue reading to learn about how to meditate, as well as figure out which of the three types in this article prove most beneficial for you.

How To Meditate

In theory, meditation is very simple. You sit down in a comfortable position and tune out the world. Well, it can be that simple, but seldom does everyone have that easy experience. It can be frustrating at first because quieting the mind and allowing your thoughts to come and go takes time. In the beginning stages, though, you do not need to sit in silence for hours at a time. On the other hand, it’s easy to establish a meditation routine that only takes five minutes out of your day. You can follow these basic steps:

• Find a quiet area and sit or lie down, whichever is more comfortable for you. If meditating at bedtime, lying down may be preferable.
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Focus on your breathing and don’t pay attention to anything else. 
• If a thought rushes into your mind, just allow it to come and go. Refocus your attention on your breath. 

Be patient with yourself as you experiment with meditation for sleep. A meditation practice is exactly that: a practice. A three- to five-minute meditation session before bed is the perfect place to start. You can increase the time to 10, 15, or 20 minutes as you get more comfortable with the practice. 

Guided Meditation

This type of meditation is a great entry point for beginners, as another person leads you through each step of the practice. There are many videos or audio files of guided meditations, which may instruct you to breathe, relax the body in a certain way, or visualize things. At bedtime, you can listen to a recording of guided meditation. You can find some recordings of guided meditations in the form of:

• Online streaming
• Meditation podcasts
• Apps or websites

The exact steps of guided meditation will vary from source to source. Step-by-step instructions may look something like:

• Select a recording and dim the light of your phone or device that you are using to listen to the meditation. 
• Begin the recording, lie down in bed, and breathe deeply and slowly.
• Focus on the person’s voice and always return to it if your mind starts to wander. 

Mindfulness Meditation

This meditation practice involves focusing on the present, and you do this by increasing your awareness of breath, body, and consciousness. If you notice an emotion or thought, just observe it as it comes. Let the thought or emotion pass without judging yourself. Engage in a mindful meditation practice by doing the following:

• Remove all distractions from your meditation space, including your phone. Lie down in a comfortable position.
• Focus on your breath and then take big inhales and exhales. Inhale for 10 counts, hold for 10 counts, and then exhale for 10 counts. Repeat this cycle five times. 
• How does your body feel while engaging in this breathing pattern? Is it tight or relaxed? If you feel tension, consciously relax that part of the body.
• When a thought arises, return your focus to your breathing. 

Body Scan Meditation

During this meditation practice, you direct your focus to every part of the body. The goal behind this practice is to increase awareness of physical sensations, including tension and pain. By focusing, you can promote relaxation, which helps you sleep. 

• Remove all distractions from your meditation space, including your phone. Lie down in a comfortable position to begin the practice. 
• Close your eyes and breathe slowly. Try to notice the weight of your body on the bed. 
• Focus on your face, softening your jaw, eyes, and facial muscles. 
• Move down to your neck and shoulders and try to relax them.
• Continue down your body, relaxing each part until you reach your toes. Notice how each part feels. 
• If your mind wanders during this process, shift your focus back to the body part you are observing. 

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It is no secret that antidepressants can cause weight gain, which is one reason people want to avoid them. A recent study highlighted exactly which antidepressants are more likely than others to increase body weight. Researchers examined the electronic health records of more than 183,000 people (aged 18 to 80) in the United States taking antidepressants for the first time. The team tracked overall weight for 24 months. 

Researchers compared various drugs to Zoloft, the most readily prescribed antidepressant among study participants. After six months, Zoloft users gained half a pound, and people taking Prozac experienced similar weight gain. Those prescribed Cymbalta, Paxil, and Celexa gained a little more on average. Lexapro users experienced the most weight gain of 1.4 pounds at the six-month mark. That number increased to 3.6 pounds after 24 months. Although people taking Wellbutrin did not experience weight gain at six months, they did gain a pound after 24 months. 

Researchers suggest that people who experience unwanted weight gain as a side effect of taking antidepressant are less likely to continue taking medication. That is why study authors wanted to compare weight gain across first-line antidepressants. Understanding this may help inform clinicians to make the best decisions for the overall health of their patients. 

Why Is Weight Gain A Common Side Effect?

The exact mechanism for weight gain is not fully understood, and it wasn’t explored in the study. Some researchers suspect a few reasons as to why antidepressants may cause some people to gain weight. Health experts believe that it has to do with an increase in serotonin, the chemical that plays a role in overall mood. 

Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Celexa all raise serotonin levels. Similarly histamine receptors, such as tricyclic antidepressants, raise serotonin levels. Increasing serotonin can enhance a person’s appetite and cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods. Additionally, some research suggests that certain antidepressants can change metabolism by slowing metabolic rate. They may also influence insulin, make people sluggish and lazy, and promote fat storage. 

It is possible for some people to lose weight once they get off antidepressants, but that isn’t feasible for everyone. Some changes that result from taking antidepressants take a long time to wear off, for example, metabolic changes. The extent of weight loss after you discontinue antidepressants can vary depending on medication use, metabolic changes, and overall lifestyle. 

Balancing Weight Gain With Other Factors

According to health experts, weight gain is a factor to consider when deciding on an antidepressant. Not only can weight gain increase feelings of depression, but it can also exacerbate underlying medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension. Someone who is depressed may also feel overwhelmed by having to manage weight, in addition to their mental health. For this reason, clinicians need to be careful about addressing these concerns prior to prescribing antidepressants. 

Each class of antidepressants works differently, so medical professionals should consider a person’s symptoms and medical history. People with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or those who abruptly quit alcohol or sedatives should not take Wellbutrin. The reason for that is because it can increase the risk of seizures and cause other symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, and risk of hypertension.

The good news is that antidepressants aren’t necessary for everyone. There are various actions a person can take to reduce symptoms of depression, with therapy being a great one. The main thing that mental health experts want is for people to take action. If you are struggling with depression, do not avoid mental health treatment options, especially if the fear is weight gain. There are many methods to treat depression, and medication isn’t always the answer. Additionally, it may not be the answer for you. Do your research and talk to your healthcare professionals to see what the right option is for you if you have depression.

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Struggling to catch some Zzz’s? Discover why you can’t sleep and learn three easy ways to fix it!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:15 1. Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder
1:34 2. Insomnia
2:26 3. Sleep Anxiety
3:06 The Fix is In
4:28 Outro

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According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are over 80 different types of sleep disorders. More than 50 million people in the United States have a sleep disorder, and more than 100 million Americans of all ages report that they get insufficient sleep. Sleep is an essential part of what makes the body function, and the amount of sleep you need could be more or less than what others need. That said, experts recommended adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. 

Until this new study, previous studies typically used single sleep measures. That means that they focused on sleep duration, quality, or insomnia. A composite of multidimensional sleep health may better indicate whether or not a person has a higher risk of heart disease. Study others examined the degree of multidimensional sleep health and its association with the risk of heart disease. This is especially important because lack of sleep may reduce productivity, impair immune function, and increase the risk of heart disease, or other illnesses, later on in life. 

Study: Link Between Sleep And Heart Disease

In order to determine the effects of how sleep affects potential heart issues, study authors took a look at self-reported sleep characteristics and heart disease history for 6,820 adults with a median age of 53.4 years old. In order to do that, study authors tested two sleep health composites based on self-report only, and both self-report and actigraphy. This took place across multiple sleep dimensions, using a weighted sum approach, so higher scores mean more sleep problems. 

The study authors found that the risk of heart disease could increase by as much as 141% when coupled with poor sleep. Additionally, researchers also found the following:

• Each additional sleep problem increased the risk of heart disease by 54%
• Sleep regularity, satisfaction, timing of sleep, sleep efficiency, alertness during waking hours, and sleep duration all influenced the risk of heart disease. 

Study authors noted that those findings indicate the importance of assessing sleep problems within an individual to determine the risk of heart disease. This is one of the first studies to show those findings! In well-functioning adults during midlife, having more sleep problems may increase the risk of heart disease. Another point from the study to note is that measuring sleep health accurately and comprehensively is important to predict heart disease risk. 

Tips For Better Sleep

Although sleep troubles may increase the risk of heart disease, you don’t have to accept that as your fate. There are ways to promote better sleep, which will only enhance heart health. Below, we highlight a few ways to help improve your sleep quality. 

Block Out Light

A lot of people are very sensitive to light at night, but it is very common for people to have lights on at all times. Screens and artificial lighting, especially inches from your face before bed, do not aid your sleep efforts. Excess light can affect your circadian rhythm, so avoiding bright light can help you transition to bedtime and aid the body’s production of melatonin. If light penetrates your room, consider investing in blackout curtains or wearing a sleep mask. 

Relax For 30 Minutes Before Bed

If you are in a relaxed state, it is much easier to fall asleep. Low-impact stretching, breathing exercises, soothing music, and quiet reading are all examples of how to get in the right headspace before bed. Focus on trying to relax instead without aiming to fall asleep. Follow your breath with controlled breathing or guided meditation. Use these tools, which are readily available, to help ease you into better, sounder sleep. 

Limit Daytime Naps

A lot of people love a good nap, but napping for too long or too frequently during the day may ruin your sleep at night. Limit your naps to no more than 30-40 minutes during mid-morning or early afternoon. Don’t nap for over an hour and avoid evening or late night napping. If you work nights, though, you may need to take a nap late in the day to help make up your sleep debt. 

Stick To A Sleep Schedule

As noted earlier, sleep experts recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night for adults. Most people can function optimally with seven hours of sleep, while others need more. Ideally, go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, including weekends. Being consistent reinforces the body’s sleep/wake cycle. If you lay in bed and are still awake within 20 minutes, leave the bedroom to engage in a relaxing practice. Go back to bed when you feel tired and repeat as needed.

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A cup of coffee in the morning may not be the worst thing you consume, especially if you avoid excess sugar and creamers. Sip a second espresso in the afternoon or a cappuccino after dinner, and you may feel a bit on edge. Do those afternoon pick-me-ups mess with your mental health, though? If you suffer from anxiety, the answer may be yes. 

Psychologists typically encourage people with anxiety to avoid caffeine, or keep intake to a minimum. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that can kickstart your anxiety by accelerating different bodily functions. We’ll explain this in more detail below. 

Does Caffeine Cause Anxiety?

As previously stated, caffeine is a natural stimulant that can induce a host of sensations in the body. Your heart may beat faster, your breath rate may increase, and your body may heat up. All of these things mimic symptoms of anxiety, making it difficult for your mind to tell the difference. It feels the same as anxiety, but your brain doesn’t know that. There is, however, caffeine-induced anxiety, and the signs are as follows:

• Nervousness
• Sweating
• Restlessness
• Headaches
• Insomnia

If you consume more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day (about four to five cups of coffee), you increase the likelihood of anxiety and panic attacks. This is especially true if you have anxiety, or you are sensitive to the effects of caffeine. Sometimes, caffeine is so potent that health experts had to make caffeine-induced anxiety disorder a subclass in the DSM-5 Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders. 

Your Caffeine Intake Relates To Anxiety

Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. It doesn’t affect everyone the same way because everyone is wired differently. Some people can only handle a small amount of caffeine, while others are not affected by that same small amount. Genetics do play into how your body processes caffeine. A 2019 study found that people who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine tend to metabolize it slower than others do. That means that it can linger in the body for a lot longer. 

For people who take longer to metabolize caffeine, drinking it regularly can make them more prone to anxious feelings. An anxiety attack, sleepless nights, or very low energy in the morning can result from caffeine-induced anxiety. When you drink another cup of coffee in the morning to wake yourself out of that groggy state, the vicious cycle begins again. Your morning cup of Joe may be behind your anxiety! There are ways to tell, so you can do a mini observational study on yourself to determine that. 

Determining If Caffeine Causes Your Anxiety

The best way to determine if caffeine induces anxiety is to keep a journal of how caffeine impacts you for a week. Count every caffeinated beverage you drink during the day, but also log other sneaky sources of caffeine. Decaf coffee (which still has some caffeine), soda, chocolate, over-the-counter pain medication, energy drinks, and certain mints or snacks contain caffeine. The following week, eliminate all caffeine while keeping the rest of your diet and activities the same. People with anxiety tend to notice improvement in anxiety levels from the first week to the second week. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to caffeine consumption, and consuming caffeine affects everyone differently. If you feel that caffeine causes your anxiety, consider enjoying caffeine in moderation. Try to limit yourself to one cup of coffee per day with no unhealthy creamers or sweeteners.

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If you lay awake at night struggling to fall asleep, trust us when we tell you that you are not alone. In fact, one in three people in the United States experience sleep deprivation. While the recommended number of hours for sleep depends on your age, most adults should sleep seven to eight hours per night. A lack of sleep can lead to a series of psychological and physiological effects, such as: 

• Decreased concentration, performance, and memory
• Increased risk of anxiety and depression
• Constant fatigue, irritability, or restlessness
• Increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity

The act of trying too hard to fall asleep can induce anxiety, as the inability to fall asleep makes your mind race. If you cannot calm the mind, it will be very difficult for you to fall asleep, because a sleepless mind results in no sleep. You may try to establish better sleep hygiene, bedroom environment, and improve what you do during the day. If all of those changes don’t help you fall asleep, the following anecdotal methods may help you turn the lights off. 

The 10-Second Method

Unless you have a magic wand, falling asleep in 10 seconds or less is nearly impossible. Practice makes perfect, so you may be able to achieve this goal soon enough. The 10-second method, or military method, was recently brought back into mainstream attention. During World War II, Lloyd Bud Winter developed a relaxation technique that helped U.S. Navy preflight school airmen fall asleep in 120 seconds. 

According to historical accounts, it took pilots six weeks of practice, but there was a supposed 96% success rate, even after drinking coffee and being around firing guns. This sounds too good to be true, and lack of scientific research makes people think exactly that. The full method takes 120 seconds to complete, but the last 10 seconds help you doze off. To do the method:

• Relax all the muscles in your face, even inside the mouth. 
• Drop your shoulders to release tension and allow your arms to rest by your sides. 
• Exhale fully to relax your chest, and then relax your legs, thighs, and calves.
• Clear your mind for 10 seconds by picturing a relaxing scene. 
• If that doesn’t work, try saying, “don’t think,” repeatedly for 10 seconds. Within those 10 seconds, you should fall asleep.

The 60-Second Method

According to one article, slow breathing, relaxation methods, and better sleep hygiene may be more useful for insomnia than pharmacological methods. The following two methods may help you quiet the mind to help you go to sleep within a minute. If you are just starting this, it may take a couple minutes to work. 

4-7-8 Breathing

Developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, the 4-7-8 breathing method is based on pranayama exercises. The more you practice this method, the more effective it becomes. If you have a respiratory condition, consider speaking with a doctor before experimenting with this method, as it may aggravate symptoms. The method is executed as follows:

• Let your lips part slightly, just far open enough so that you can make a “whoosh” sound as you exhale out of your mouth. 
• Close your lips and inhale quietly through your nose for four seconds. 
• Hold your breath for seven seconds, and then exhale (with the “whoosh”) for a full eight seconds. 
• Your next inhale begins a new cycle. Repeat this cycle four times, but allow your body to sleep if you feel the onset of relaxation. 

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Also known as PMR or deep muscle relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation may help you drift off to sleep. Essentially, this practice involves tensing your muscles and then fully relaxing them. Alternating between tensing and relaxing may help promote tranquility and even relieve insomnia. Ideally, practice this method as you exhale during the 4-7-8 method. 

• Raise your eyebrows as high as you can for five seconds to tighten your forehead muscles. Relax those muscles and feel the tension drop. 
• Wait 10 seconds before smiling widely to tense your cheeks. Hold for five seconds and relax. 
• Pause 10 seconds and then tilt your head back gently to look up at the ceiling. Hold this position for five seconds and then relax as your neck sinks into the pillow. 
• Pause another 10 seconds, and then continue moving down the rest of your body, tightening everything from your triceps and chest to your thighs and feet. 
• Allow yourself to fall asleep, even if you don’t finish tensing and relaxing your feet. 

The 120-Second Method

If the previous methods don’t do the trick, consider this simple one. Just tell yourself to stay awake, because trying to fall asleep, especially if you have insomnia, can increase anxiety. A study from 2021 found the paradoxical intention (PI) may reduce performance anxiety. By doing so, you can increase the perception of feeling well-rested after sleep. PI is a technique that requires you to intentionally stay awake in bed. That can help you overcome the fear and conscious effort of falling asleep. This method can be more effective than traditional breathing practices for some, but research is quite limited.

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The word “burnout” is a very familiar word in today’s day and age. You can experience a burnout from life events, but work often seems to be the culprit. That stress from work can bleed into your emotional life and cause you to shut down. How do you know when it’s coming and are there signs to look out for? 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), burnouts were at an all-time high across numerous professions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mix of personal, professional, and health-related stress spurred feelings that were hard to handle. Since then, burnout has become a broad symptom of overworking in hard times. The end result is that being constantly overwhelmed is much more than passing stress. A burnout marks the accumulation of exertion, hopelessness, and tension that can be hard to identify. 

What Is A Burnout? 

Mental health experts agree that a burnout is the result of chronic stress, which typically stems from the workplace. If a person feels overwhelmed, under-appreciated, and powerless to make more effective changes at their job, a burnout can likely occur. A burnout goes far beyond your ability to perform job duties, though. Your work may suffer, but a burnout may also lead to a series of medical conditions. For example, people who experience a burnout are more likely to develop depression, insomnia, and anxiety. Plus, chronic stress can jeopardize your physical health, especially in relation to heart function. 

If you’re wondering whether or not you’re approaching a burnout, continue reading to learn about some common signs, feelings, and symptoms. 

Feelings Of Dread Or Lack Of Motivation

A burnout often coincides with feelings of anxiety or a sense of dread related to your work, especially after a few days off. The crazy thing about a burnout is that your motivation and enthusiasm levels can be noticeably low even after a weekend or vacation. Procrastination is another key sign to look out for, especially if you’re unwilling to address certain tasks at work. Now, it is very possible to dislike your job and avoid a burnout because not everyone has the luxury of doing work they enjoy. If you find that the days are harder to get through, the quality of your work continues to decline, and the thought of working is a legitimate fear, a burnout is likely happening.

Inconsistent Appetite

Your relationship with food can indicate a lot about the goings on in your life, especially if something is awry. In times of stress, it is very common for people to eat unhealthy foods and gain weight. On the other hand, it’s also possible to lose your appetite and avoid food until you shove your face with whatever is in sight. During periods of a burnout, you may crave comfort foods that are fattening and have an increasing or decreasing appetite. If you notice that your appetite is like a rollercoaster, you may be in the midst of a burnout. 

Exhaustion

Feeling overwhelmed psychologically can often show itself in the form of physical fatigue and exhaustion. When you are physically exhausted, it can make it harder to discover the root of your burnout. If you’re experiencing a burnout, basic tasks like cooking a meal or taking a shower can feel like a burden. Additionally, a day of work can feel impossible to get through. So if you’re more tired than usual and cannot seem to increase your energy, a burnout is the most likely suspect. 

Cynicism and Irritability

During a burnout, it is very easy to become more cynical or irritable than usual, especially if decreased productivity and focus accompany the mood changes. The reason for this is because your mood is often the first thing to go downhill during the early stages of a burnout, according to psychologists. If you are usually in a good mood but find yourself more frustrated than usual, you could be approaching a burnout. Don’t let that derail you because if it does, your personal and professional relationships can suffer. 

Difficulty Sleeping

In today’s day and age, sleep troubles are very common. That’s why many health experts continue to stress the importance of sleep and bedtime routines that encourage healthier sleep patterns. Poor sleep hygiene can lead to a burnout, but a burnout can also affect the quality of your sleep. That can cause you to be on a hamster wheel of restlessness and insomnia. Sleep experts say that a burnout can make falling asleep and staying asleep more difficult. Sleep difficulties are often accompanied by tension, stomach problems, and headaches.

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