There’s no denying the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on our health and wellness. Aside from its threat to our physical body, it has also affected our emotional well-being and mental stability. Apart from compromised nutrition and less physical activities, one problem that many people have encountered is sleep difficulties.
It’s crucial to maintain a good sleeping habit despite the impact of the pandemic that the world is facing. Here at The Skinny, our healthcare news is focused on topics of all types: physical, mental, financial, nutritional, and everything revolving around health and well-being. We even have news articles about how to improve your sleep!
But in this article, we will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on sleep quality. Keep on reading also to find out how you can improve it amid the global pandemic.
The impact of COVID on sleep
We cannot deny the stress that the COVID-19 crisis has posed on almost everyone since it first broke out sometime in March of 2020. As a result of the outbreak, people have been confined in their homes, and businesses have not fully gotten back to their usual operations. After a year, we can still feel its lingering effects, and they will only take a halt once the crisis ends.
For this reason, people are having a hard time falling and staying asleep as they worry about the future. Some are also waking too early and unable to fall back asleep, while many others are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness. The worse thing is that some individuals are suffering from insomnia.
What the facts and figures have to say
A recent study showed that many looked for the term “insomnia” during the acute phase of the COVID-19 (April and May 2020). The report was based on Google Trends’ search queries, and it implies that many individuals were having difficulty sleeping during that period.
In fact, Dr. Jose Colon, a Lee Health physician specialized in sleep medicine, neurology, and lifestyle medicine, claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to mood and sleep disturbances and increased insomnia risk. This is because of one thing—stress brought about by the global pandemic.
Dr. Colon defines insomnia as “difficulty initiating sleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, which is accompanied by daytime impairments and sleepiness.” While this sleep disorder affects 10 percent of the population, it has increased all the more during the pandemic.
How to have healthy sleep habits
If you’re among those suffering from sleep issues, such as insomnia during this pandemic, here are a few things you can do to rise above your situation:
- Establish a healthy sleeping pattern by going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning.
- Make your bedroom ideal for sleeping, where it must be quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.
- Remove your electronic devices an hour before you sleep, such as your mobile phone, computer, and TV.
- Avoid certain foods and beverages before sleeping, such as those containing caffeine (chocolates, coffees, or teas).
- Work out regularly as it will help you fall asleep more easily at night.
Conclusion
Sleep is a vital part of our lives, next to air, water, and food. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, you must find ways and means to have a sound and restful sleep. Be sure to consider all the valuable sleeping tips discussed above so that you’ll be able to have a sound sleep you deserve despite the global pandemic!
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