April is National Stress Awareness Month. According to the Mental Health Foundation, ‘74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope’.
As scary as those statistics are, we also know that if stress isn’t managed properly it can seriously impact our health.
Low levels of stress are part of everyday life. The problem arises when we experience high levels of stress over a long period.
Serious symptoms such as depression, mood swings, sleep problems, anxiety, lack of concentration and apathy in everyday tasks are just some ways prolonged stress affects our lives.
So, what can you do about it?
How Does Stress Affect Sleep?
Allowing our bodies and minds to be stressed for a long period of time can significantly contribute to sleepless nights.
Sleepless nights in turn, contribute to a low immune system which can be to be blame for constantly catching colds and bugs.
Those who sleep less may also weigh more; prolonged lack of sleep can also make us more irritable and anxious.
Worryingly, studies have also shown that people who usually sleep less than five hours a night have an increased risk of developing diabetes.
So, how can you manage stress better?
8 Ways to Manage Stress and Sleep Better
- Practise deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Find a quiet place and comfortable surroundings where you won’t be disturbed. Yoga, Pilates and meditation have all been found to help alleviate stress.
- Take time to relax your mind. Switch off all phones and gadgets at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light that comes from phones and tablets suppresses melatonin production, altering circadian rhythms. When our circadian rhythms are affected, over time this can seriously impact on our health.
- It’s not just our minds that need to wind down, our bodies do too. Try doing a relaxing activity, such as listening to calming music, reading a book or taking a soak in the bath before bedtime. This will help get your body in the right frame for sleep.
- Stress is often triggered by worrying thoughts. If this is you, keep a pen and paper beside the bed and try and write down your worries and thoughts before going to sleep.
- Numerous studies have shown that any form of exercise can help improve our mental health. So, if you’re feeling stressed take a walk, go for a jog or try yoga or Pilates to help calm yourself before sleep.
- A regular bedtime and waking up time will help establish a good sleep routine, which in turn helps us sleep better and feel better.
- Cut back on caffeine and alcohol as both are stimulants and whilst they may help us nod off sooner, we may find ourselves waking up more during the night.
- Make sure you’re sleeping in the right bed. Sleeping in an uncomfortable bed can cost us up to an hour of sleep every night. If your bed is seven years or more, maybe it’s time to think about purchasing a new one.
Take the Stress Test
If you think that stress is affecting your sleep, take The Sleep Council’s Stress Test to find out more.
What to do next
If you are concerned about your health or sleep, we advise you consult your GP or seek professional medical advice as soon as you can.
At Dalzell’s we have expert staff on hand to advise on choosing the right bed and mattress to aid better sleep. With over 500 beds and mattresses in stock including orthopaedic and memory foam beds, we’re confident that you’ll find the right bed to meet your needs. We recommend you visit us in-store so you can try out a range of different beds, or if you’re short for time, why not give us a call T: 028 3755 1260 or email us where our staff will be only too happy to advise you on what best suits your circumstances.
Dalzells is just off the A28 between Armagh and Newry; 30 minutes from Lisburn, 45 from Belfast and an hour from Dublin. When you buy any new divan bed and mattress from us we appreciate that you’ll want to have it delivered as quickly as possible. That’s why we offer a Free Delivery and Free Recycling of your old bed throughout Northern Ireland and counties Louth, Monaghan and Dublin.
