Natural Treatments for Anxiety Sleep Disorder

As we explained on the page Anxiety Sleep Disorder, there’s an intimate association between anxiety and poor quality or inadequate sleep. If you’re troubled by these problems, here are some natural treatments for anxiety sleep disorder to consider. These are a much better option than prescription sedatives.

First how much sleep do you need?

Plan for at least 7-8 hours sleep if you’re an adult, at least nine if you’re a teenager. Getting even one hour less sleep has adverse effects. Some people think that they can train themselves to get by with less sleep. You can’t. If you try to get by with less, your performance suffers and you put yourself at risk for a host of other problems.

Treat Anxiety Naturally

Solve the Panic Puzzle

Keep regular sleep patterns. Your body has a “biologic clock” managing many things, including sleep. Going to bed at wildly different times prevents you from falling into a set pattern that will foster solid sleep. Many people go to bed at different times on the weekends then they do during the week. Avoid that and keep steady patterns.

Timing is everything. Exercise is excellent for your health in many ways, and it’s also proven to be effective in the treatment of depression. However don’t exercise late in the day – it will make falling asleep harder.

Like exercise, naps are a good thing but again timing is important. Research studies show that a roughly 90 minute nap mid day or in the early afternoon improves learning. However, if you nap too late in the day it will interfere with your night time sleep.

Along the same lines, avoid large meals late in the day.

Caffeine is an obvious stimulant. You should avoid all caffeinated beverages (including colas) for at least eight hours before bedtime. If you suffer from anxiety you may even want to try eliminating caffeine altogether and see how you feel.

Avoid watching high energy or disturbing movies or TV programs at the end of the day. If you’re having trouble with anxiety and sleeping, the last thing you need to do is to fill you mind with disturbing images just before you lie down to try to got to sleep

Create an environment conducive to sleep.

Among other things, this means only using your bedroom for sleeping and romance. You want to build up the association between getting in bed and going to sleep. This means no computer or TVs in the bedroom. I recommend against reading in bed as well, although many people feel it helps them nod off.

Room darkening shades are a good idea, especially if the sun is up before you intend to awaken.

A drop in body temperature often induces sleepiness. This is part of the reason a warm bath can help get a good night’s sleep. The bath relaxes you and warms you. When you get out your body temperature will drop, which will make you sleepy.

Get Rid of Anxiety

Get Some Sleep!

Spend the last hour or two before going to bed unwinding and slowing down. Listen to relaxing music, read inspirational books, perhaps try meditating or using the relaxation response. Consider taking that warm bath I just mentioned.

You can also consider taking some supplements to help get a good nights sleep. As opposed to prescription sleeping pills, these generally do not interfere with normal brain activity during the different phases of sleep and in fact my support them.

Of course, you should discuss any supplements you’re thinking about trying with your physician, especially if you are taking any medications.

You can read about supplements that have helped many people at: Natural Supplements for Anxiety Sleep Disorder.

And remember that any non-drug treatment you use to eliminate anxiety will automatically help you sleep better. Read a review of an excellent program to help you do just that at: Panic Puzzle Review

Panic Puzzle

return to Panic Attack Release Home