The main issue in stress-triggered sleep disorders, including insomnia, seems to be the bidirectional relationship between cortisol levels and sleep quality. Namely, high cortisol levels may be responsible for the development of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia, while sleeplessness has been shown to promote cortisol. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can be short-lived (lasting anywhere between a few days and a few weeks), and chronic (which can last for months).
Another common sleep-related issue, popularly referred to as sleep anxiety, may develop as a consequence of a sleep disorder. Sleep anxiety, or sleep dread, results from the pressure people are feeling when they’re unable to get enough sleep on a regular basis - especially knowing a long, stressful day awaits them. Faced with the reality of insomnia, nightmares, or similar sleeping problems, people begin dreading bedtime. Psychologically, the thought of not getting enough sleep gives them anxiety. And as you can already guess, sleep anxiety forms a vicious circle in which you’re stressing out because you’re not sleeping - but it is the stress from not thinking you might not sleep that is disrupting sleep in the first place. Yikes!
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep-related consequences of built-up pressure (aside from bad dreams) include overthinking, tension in muscles, shoulder and neck pain, as well as increased heart rate and high blood pressure as common symptoms of anxious moods.
Therefore, if your heart is racing, your thoughts are wrestling, and your dreams are becoming more and more bizarre, it is time to employ some relaxation techniques around your sleep habits. Bedtime rituals are different for every single one of us. It can be playing your favorite music, trying breathing exercises, or even incorporating sleep medication (which requires the expertise of a health professional - even if it's natural). However, we also need to consider the way that nutrition impacts sleep quality. When it comes to the levels of the brain’s main antioxidant glutathione, proper nutrition is crucial for a good night’s rest.
Sleep Better with Glutathione