Can't Sleep Because of Anxiety? When Racing Thoughts Mean It's Time for Professional Help
Tired of wanting to sleep only to find yourself staying awake when you lie in bed?
Your body is weary, yet your mind is acting as though it just began the day.
One thought leads to another, and then you are lying there staring at the ceiling and wondering why your brain can not slow down.
If this keeps happening, it might be more than stress. This is anxiety finding the only quiet space you have left - the night time.
People from all walks of life experience this, and they have different routines and responsibilities and backgrounds.
At Serenity Health, we notice how anxieties affect people based on their routines, responsibilities, and backgrounds.
The struggle with sleep is real and deserves attention.
Why Your Mind Gets Louder at Night
You’re busy during the day. Even if life is stressful, there’s always something to focus on.
But when everything around you settles down at night, the mind does the opposite - it speeds up. That’s often when anxiety slips in.
You might notice:
Thinking about things that happened earlier in the day
Worrying about what could go wrong tomorrow
Feeling tired, but unable to relax
A heavy feeling in your chest or stomach
A sense of uneasiness you can’t explain
They do not mean something is wrong with you. It simply shows that your mind has been carrying too much on its own.
When Sleepless Nights Start Turning Into a Habit
Every person has some bad nights. However, after spending a few consecutive nights like this, sleep becomes less and less manageable.
It may be turning into a pattern if:
You struggle to fall asleep most nights
You wake up tired
Your mind is loud even during the day
You easily get irritated
You feel burned out mentally.
When a lack of sleep turns into a cycle, everything becomes too much - work, relationships, even small tasks.
How Anxiety and Sleep Relate to Each Other
Anxiety and sleep have a two-way relationship.
Lack of sleep leads to high levels of anxiety about not falling back to sleep, and high levels of anxiety lead to further disturbance of sleep.
It becomes one cycle that is almost impossible to break without external help.
Over time, you might feel:
Difficulty following a conversation
Your body feels tensed all the time
Getting overwhelmed by small things
Lack of motivation to do your regular activities
Feeling extra sensitive or easily angered
You do not have to wait until sleep becomes worse before you seek help. Often times, it is better to seek help earlier.
Read more:
When to Get Help From a Professional
The majority of people would fight it with additional cups of coffee during the day, power naps, or merely making themselves believe that “this too shall pass.”
But if ever your anxiety is already disturbing your daily life and peace of mind, then it's time you talk to someone who could really help.
Serenity Health can help.
A mental health professional will work with you to dig deep into the real reasons behind those racing thoughts and provide practical tools that can be used effectively.
How Serenity Health Supports You
You will feel relaxed and welcome to converse freely at Serenity Health. We want to learn about your background, stressors, and experiences.
We assist you in discovering what exactly is causing your anxiety and work with you in altering your sleep habits.
Let us help you get your sleep back. If anxiety has deprived you of sleep and keeps depriving you of peace, let us help you get both back.
FAQs
Why does anxiety get worse at night?
Because the mind finally has quiet time, and stored-up thoughts come forward.
Do I need medication for sleep?
Not always.
What makes me know whether it is anxiety or merely stress?
When sleep interference occurs often enough to impact your daytime functioning, it is worth speaking with a medical professional.
