Ways to deal with Sleep Anxiety

Tossing and turning all night, being afraid when it's time for sleep, counting sheep and being awake for number 1000? Sound familiar? You might be suffering from Sleep Anxiety.

People who suffer from anxiety, have a higher chance of having a hard time falling asleep. And not getting a good nights sleep makes anxiety during the day worse. And on goes the vicious cycle.

Here are a few tips on how to reduce sleep anxiety:

- Make a bedtime routine. Having a routine before sleep will alert your body that it's time to settle down.

- Go to sleep the same time every night. This will make your internal body clock know when it's time for sleep.

- Do some mindfulness exercises. Relax your body and your mind with some mindfulness techniques. It will relax your muscles and calm your racing thoughts.

- Make your bed a place for sleep. Many people use their beds as an office, a place to watch TV, or as a hang out area. Make your bed a place for just sleep, to help your mind know that when you get into bed, it's sleep time, not time to send an email.

- Write down your thoughts before bedtime. Acknowledging your thoughts and worries and writing them down before sleep might help you lift the burden of worry, either consciously or subconsciously.

- As tired as you might be during the day, try not to nap. This can create a cycle of not being tired when it's bedtime, staying up late, and needing the nap the next day.