SLEEP IS IMPORTANT WHEN STRESS AND ANXIETY INCREASE SAYS THE NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION
Foundation Offers Tips To Those Having Difficulty Sleeping
WASHINGTON, DC, April 8 -- The television screen brings vivid details of the war in Iraq into our homes while the increased threat of terrorist attacks looms over our communities. The weak economy has led to belt tightening in the business sector that has meant layoffs, higher unemployment and a less than inviting job market. The combination of these and other events is causing increased anxiety and stress levels for millions of people, often resulting in sleep disruptions that range from trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, to waking early or having nightmares.
Sleep is an essential part of our daily lives and well-being. Lost sleep robs us of the opportunity to restore ourselves physically, emotionally, and even cognitively. Lost sleep and the resulting daytime sleepiness affect our mood, behavior and performance. In effect, we are how we sleep…. how we sleep at night affects who we are, what we do and how we do it during the day, although we are not always aware of many signs and symptoms as well as the costs and consequences caused by sleep disruptions. A night of seven to nine hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep becomes particularly important during times of high stress and anxiety.
"Not getting enough sleep impairs our work performance, increases the risk for injuries and makes it more difficult to get along with others," says Mark Rosekind, PhD, an expert on fatigue and performance issues. "Without sufficient sleep it is more difficult to concentrate, make careful decisions and follow instructions, we are more likely to make mistakes or errors, and are more prone to being impatient and lethargic. Our attention, memory and reaction time are all affected. But while we may recognize these symptoms, we do not always associate them as being symptoms of sleep loss," he adds.
Dr. Rosekind also notes that while one night of significant sleep loss can affect alertness the next day, accumulated sleep loss over multiple nights is a problem that must be dealt with. Dr. Rosekind, president and chief scientist of Alertness Solutions in Cupertino, CA, is a member of the National Sleep Foundation's board of directors. He is former director of NASA's Fatigue Countermeasures Program.In order to help people address their need for sleep and sleep problems, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) offers the following information about sleep problems and symptoms that can signal inadequate sleep, and tips for helping people maximize the sleep they do get during these times of high stress and anxiety:
