Anxiety Sleep Disorder: Remedies to Fall Asleep

If anxieity is keep you awake at night, you're not alone. While one-third of Americans complain about the quality of their sleep, over 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Although there are different types of sleep disorders, sleep anxiety is the leading cause of sleep disorders.

An anxiety sleep disorder is caused by anxiety disorders. Anxiety is a result of stress. Stress can be defined as anything that causes changes in life regardless of whether it is good or bad. Although everyone feels anxious at times, with a generalized anxiety disorder, worry and fear are constant and affect both the ability to function and relax.

According to the online Londonsleepcentre, between 50% to 70% of people with a generalized anxiety disorder report trouble sleeping and difficulty falling asleep at night because they can't stop thinking. Furthermore, research has found out that 85% of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Interestingly, some physicians have been treating insomnia with anti-depressant medications. However, ironically, since anti-depressants can give you an energy boot, they can cause insomnia, agitation, restlessness, and anxiety.

At one time it was unclear whether anxiety caused insomnia or vice versa. However, now researchers are finding that rather than anxiety causing insomnia, insomnia may cause anxiety. Apparently, a lack of sleep stimulates the parts of the brain closely associated with axieity, depression, and other mental disorders. A large Norwegian research study has shown that insomnia may cause anxiety but not depression. Previous studies found that insomnia was a risk factor for developing both anxiety and depression. Regardless of whether anxiety causes insomnia or vice versa, the inability to sleep is a viscious circle.

Sleep is more important than you may think. The lack of sleep can cause decreased immune system function, decreased alertness, weight gain, a higher risk for certain diseases and cancers, and increased inflammation and pain. Consequently, if you're battling with insomnia or sleep difficulties, it important you get it under control.

Although medication may be used for the short-term, it is not a solution. The ultimate key to treating an anxiety sleep disorder is better sleep hygiene. The following suggestions may help

• Vitamin E, B Complex vitamins, valerian, melatonin, chamomile, kava kava, passion flower, california poppy, hops,calcium, and magnesium are all helpful in promoting sleep.
• Avoid taking naps in the afternoon.
• Don't use the bedroom for any activities other than sleep and intimacy.
• Keep your room dark.
• Keep your room slightly cool with adequate ventilation
• Avoid sugar, chocolate, and caffiene before bed.
• Drink a warm glass of milk or have a light snack before bed. Eating foods with tryptophan are beneficial. Foods high in tryptophan include: turkey, chicken, beef, brown rice, nuts, milk, yogurt, eggs, cheese, fruit, leafy, green vegetables, beans,
• Meditation and deep breathing
• Take a warm bath before bed.
• Listen to soothing music.
• Go to bed at the same time each night.
• Exercise - Exercise improves sleep in people with insomnia. However, be careful you don't exercise too close to bedtime because initially exercise increases stress hormones, but several hours afterwards the stress hormones decrease.
• Aromatherapy - The scents of jasmine and lavendar are helpful for relaxing.
• Counseling

Don't battle with insomnia and sleepless nights tossing and turning with worry.  If the forementioned suggestions don't help, seek professional treatment.