Sleep Away Anxiety

Have you ever noticed that a common buddy or characteristic of anxiety are bouts of sleepless nights or insomnia? Sleep deprivation, or insomnia, is a common companion with attacks of anxiety. Some may think it is the anxiety that is causing the lack of sleep, and the insomnia is just a symptom of another greater physiological or psychological problem. However, in all honesty, it can be the exact opposite. Researchers are discovering how lack of sleep or insomnia may be one of the primary contributors to a case of anxiety.

Some may be questioning how can loss of sleep bring about an emotional disorder. Well, lets start with the basics. There are 5 stages of sleep in the sleep cycle. They are stages 1-4, which make up the Non-REM (NREM) Sleep Phase and stage 5, which is the REM phase. While sleeping, the body must go through all five phases of the sleep cycle a few times per night. Although the function of sleep is unknown, multiple studies have been done to show that each phase contributes a specific health benefit to the body. When studying the benefits of Stage 5 REM sleep in particular, many know this as the dream stage. This stage is useful in flushing the mind of stressful events of the day, which is the bodys natural way of dealing with anxiety or other forms of stress. In addition to dreaming, the REM stage is also responsible for stabilizing ones emotional health. When we dont get enough REM sleep, the emotional centers of the brain are out of balance and we tend to behave more "hyperactive" than usual. REM sleep is essential in balancing our day to day moods and responses to stressful circumstances. One of the many causes of anxiety, is the lack of a full night of rest or an abrupt interruption of REM sleep.

Many factors can be attributed to the blocking of REM sleep. One of the most common are alcohol and caffeine use, which by themselves, can cause feelings of anxiety and other emotional or psychological disorders. Alcohol and caffeine can interfere with the function of various chemical hormones that regulate the sleep cycle. Some people may use alcohol as a way to relax and induce sleep, but excessive use of alcohol can disrupt your sleep pattern and interfere with REM sleep. Caffeine, on the other hand, can disrupt REM sleep by keeping you awake. The lack of sleep from both alcohol and caffeine, is what triggers anxiety.

Sudden and abrupt changes in ones sleep cycle can also trigger emotional stress. Insomnia and other sleep disorders can hugely alter the activity of hormones and adjust various pathways of the brain. These changes in brain activity can disrupt the sleep cycle. Another factor that interrupts REM sleep and causes anxiety, is an increased level of cortisol in the brain. Research has proven that higher concentrations of cortisol, a stress hormone, not only interferes with the sleep cycle, but also contributes to emotional problems, like anxiety and other depressive disorders. Exercise, right before bedtime, and improper dieting can raise cortisol levels in the brain which makes it difficult to fall asleep at night. As a consequence, a case of anxiety or depression is the end result.

Prescription sleep medication, given as an insomnia cure ,can also bring about feelings of anxiety. Studies have been done to show that many of the very popular sleeping pills, can carry side effects of anxiety and mild depression. Statistics show that approximately 90% of anxiety and depression patients suffer with cases of chronic insomnia. Most people believe that the anxiety or depression is causing the insomnia, when in actuality, the lack of a completed cycle of sleep may be a major reason for the anxiety or either an enhancer of the already present condition. With all of this in mind, we must make an effort to eliminate all kinds of stress and attempt to maintain a healthy amount of sleep, in order to remain free from anxiety or other depressive disorders.

Marvin Perry is a freelance writer and author of Sleep Away Anxiety. He carries a wealth of expertise on the subject of sleep disorders and he manages a website and blog about sleep disorders and natural treatments of insomnia. To see this informative site visit http://www.best-cure-for-insomnia.com

Anxiety and Stress Guide!
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health diagnoses. It is essential for those suffering from these disorders ...

Anxiety Disorder Natural Remedy - Simple Natural Tips Part I
There is much you can do in your own daily life to treat an anxiety disorder. The basics of human life require that you drin...

Anxiety Attack Help
People who suffer from anxiety attacks may often feel desperate and think that there is nothing they can do to get rid of the...

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms - Spotting The Need For Help
Anxiety disorder symptoms are often confused with symptoms of other conditions including depression. Yet, what you need to k...

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences excessive worry, tensi...

The Effects of Anxiety Problems on Your Life
There is a good chance that many people at one point in their lives will suffer from anxiety problems and related symptoms. W...

Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Social anxiety disorder is a condition, more than temporary, and sometimes permanent, in which the sufferer feels a distinct ...

Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Anxiety related disorders are a common problem for people who are suffering from post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Peop...

How Does Anxiety Feel?
Imagine if you will this scenario: You are sitting in your bosss office taking dictation. Suddenly, and without warning, an e...

Herbal Remedy for Your Anxiety
Anxiety, stress and depression, at some point really come in our daily lives. How do you deal with it?Most of us have our own...

Panic Attack Self Help and Basic Pointers
People suffering from anxiety disorders should know some basic panic attack self help techniques in order to properly cope up...

Anxiety Attack Treatment Options
Anxiety attacks are very frightening experiences and can be very hard to deal with. When having an attack people feel like th...

Anxiety Relief
Anxiety is the single most important cause for a host of health problems, which leave us weak and vulnerable to a series of d...

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Its Cause and Cure
Generalized anxiety disorder, commonly called GAD, affects about 3% of the population. It is a constant state o worry, anxiet...

Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety and panic attacks can be very frightening. People who suffer from this condition may feel their heart pounding in the...

Understanding the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and Stress
While stress is a normal part of everyday life, the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress can be tremendous. In small doses...

Can Supplements Help With Anxiety Attacks?
Anxiety and panic disorders are one of the most common mental health problems among American adults. They can take a number o...

Herbal Remedy For Anxiety
Herbal remedies for anxiety are becoming more popular alternatives to prescribed medications. They are just as powerful as be...

Common Social Anxiety Symptoms To Watch For
Social anxiety is just one of the many forms of anxiety disorder. To the person suffering from social anxiety the symptoms ex...

Anxiety Attack Symptoms - Common Anxiety Or Anxiety Disorder?
An Anxiety Attack can be defined as the experience we typically have when we feel we are suddenly in danger, or something unk...