Quiet Your Racing Thoughts: How To Get Rid of Anxiety At Night

Anxiety can have a significant impact on sleep. When we’re anxious, our minds are racing with racing thoughts, or the mind seems in constant panic. These anxiety-driven mental processes often play out while trying to sleep, making it impossible to get a good night’s rest. It sucks fighting off a nocturnal panic attack in the middle of the night. Hopefully, we can show you how to get rid of anxiety at night.

Sometimes anxiety can cause insomnia, the medical term for difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This can lead to pressure in the brain that makes people feel nervous, fearful, or worried from the lack of sleep. Some people find it helpful to talk through their anxiety with a therapist or loved one when they have trouble sleeping. In this blog post, we’ll cover what sleep anxiety is and ways you can overcome anxiety at bedtime to sleep better at night.

Why do You Get Anxiety at Night?

Anxiety at night is often caused by pre-sleep arousal, a phenomenon where the body and nervous system enter a state of heightened awareness. This can result in symptoms such as worry or fear about the future, restlessness, physical discomfort, and trembling. These symptoms are common among individuals who experience nighttime anxiety.

Another possible cause of anxiety at night is prolonged stress. This may result in an anxiety disorder or panic attack and can make it difficult to fall asleep or create a fear of going to bed. Sleep problems can also trigger the panic disorder, making it difficult to fall asleep and creating a fear of going to bed. If this cycle continues, insomnia may develop.

If you’re experiencing nighttime anxiety, try to identify the factors causing the problem and work to address them. Also, avoid worrying about sleep before bedtime and focus on relaxing activities instead of stressing about bedtime rituals. A good night’s sleep makes the following day much more productive and enhances your quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of Nighttime Anxiety?

Common symptoms of nighttime anxiety include difficulty falling and staying asleep, trouble concentrating, restlessness, nervousness, and sweatiness. Physical symptoms of nighttime anxiety include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, trembling, and sweating. Some even report having high blood pressure.

Mental symptoms of nighttime anxiety include worrying about the future, racing thoughts, self-criticism, and rumination.

Aches and pains from tense muscles, such as headaches and jaw pain, are also symptoms of anxiety at night. Nightmares and night terrors are common symptoms of nighttime anxiety. If you’re struggling with nighttime anxiety, talk to your doctor to find the best treatment options.

Avoid caffeine late in the day to calm your body and mind before bedtime. Avoiding caffeine late in the day can help reduce nighttime anxiety by keeping your body calm and focused. This will help you sleep soundly without distractions. Also, try to identify triggers of your nighttime anxiety and learn to manage them effectively to ward off the effects of sleep deprivation.

What Is Sleep Anxiety?

Sleep anxiety is an anxiety condition related to insomnia. It is characterized by a sense of panic caused by the prospect of going to sleep. This panic can be triggered by any number of factors, such as the bedtime routine, the darkness of the night, or even the thought of sleep itself.

Sleep anxiety can occur because of pre-sleep arousal, problem-solving, and ruminating on the consequences of being unable to sleep. This can result in a cycle of anxious thoughts before bedtime and cause individuals to avoid sleep altogether.

This sleep disorder is often called ‘pre-sleep panic’ or ‘bedtime panic.’ Its symptoms may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, irritability, and increased nervousness.

Sleep anxiety is a generalized anxiety disorder where individuals experience apprehension, but the source of the danger is unknown. Unless the condition interferes with daily life and causes health problems, it is unlikely that anyone will seek treatment for it.

What Happens When Anxiety Interrupts Sleep?

Anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry, anxiety, and panic attacks. Anxiety can cause a cycle of stress and poor sleep, leading to further anxiety and symptoms of anxiety.

Sleep anxiety is the combination of insomnia and anxiety. It can be caused by insomnia, teasing bedtime rituals, or anxiety over bedtime. The symptoms of sleep anxiety include increased alertness, pacing around the bed or room, difficulty falling asleep, and nightmares.

Pre-sleep arousal is characterized by heightened awareness before sleep, such as problem-solving and ruminating. This sleep disruption may be due to caffeine intake, excitement about bedtime, or an upset stomach. Treatment for anxiety-induced sleep disruption can range from lifestyle changes to therapy to medication.

In general, lifestyle changes such as exercise and relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety levels during the day. Therapy may help individuals identify the source of their anxiety and develop healthy sleeping habits. Medication options include benzodiazepines (such as Valium) or antidepressants (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI] antidepressants).

How Can I Overcome Anxiety at Bedtime?

If bedtime anxiety interferes with sleep, developing a pre-sleep routine that works for you is essential. This should include winding down and avoiding stimulants, such as screens and caffeine, as much as possible before bedtime. Also, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking at the same time every day.

This will help to ease physical and mental fatigue and help you feel more rested. Finally, practice relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing and positive self-talk to help calm your mind and body before bedtime. By following these steps on how to get rid of anxiety at night, you can overcome anxiety at bedtime and get the sleep you need to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

Anxiety at bedtime can be a common problem for people with anxiety. Establishing a consistent sleep/wake cycle is essential to help improve sleep quality. It’s also essential to avoid screens before bed and limit caffeine and alcohol intake. Putting your phone to bed is vital to avoid doom-scrolling social media or other distracting activities. Additionally, taking short naps and avoiding stimulants in the evening are essential. Finally, maintaining a dark, quiet, calm bedroom environment can help ease anxiety at night. By following these tips, you can overcome anxiety at bedtime and get quality sleep.

Practice Meditation

If anxiety is keeping you from falling asleep, practicing meditation before bedtime may help reduce anxiety before bedtime. Diaphragmatic breathing techniques, such as breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, can help reduce anxiety before bedtime. You can incorporate yoga into your routine to increase levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

Creating a sleep-friendly environment with a cool temperature, darkness, and quietness can help you fall asleep faster. In addition to meditation and sleep-friendly habits, consider using the RISE app to help you map your circadian rhythm and better time sleep hygiene activities to improve sleep quality.

Exercise

Regular exercise can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Before bed, engaging in light exercises, such as walking or stretching, is best. This will help raise body temperature and heart rate, which can be disruptive before bed.

If you exercise in the morning or afternoon for sleep benefits, try exercising at least 30 minutes a day but avoid it two hours before bedtime. However, consult your health provider first if you have a physical illness or condition that makes exercising difficult.

Exercise can also help raise endorphins, a brain chemical that can make you feel more awake and energetic. If you are anxious about sleep, consider exercising to boost your mood and reduce stress. Besides, exercising regularly to stay healthy and fit is always good.

Set Aside Time for Winding Down

As with many mental health issues, anxiety can be exacerbated at night. Setting aside time for winding down before bed can help reduce anxiety and relieve racing thoughts. This could involve taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, or reading an enjoyable book. Limiting caffeine intake in the evening and practicing deep breathing exercises are also important.

A regular sleep schedule can help your body learn to go to sleep and wake up simultaneously each day, which can help reduce anxiety and stress. Additionally, ensuring all screens are turned off, and the bedroom is dark and quiet can help you unwind before bedtime. Finally, it’s important to remember that anxiety is a mental health issue that needs treatment and not just a problem that can be solved by changing your sleep or work schedule.

Avoid Stressful Activities Before Bed

Avoid physical exertion before bedtime to prevent the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which can keep you alert and delay the release of melatonin. It is also essential to create a comfortable and sleep-friendly environment by keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet with the help of white noise machines, ear plugs, blackout curtains, and an eye mask.

Besides, avoiding engaging in tasks that require a lot of thinking, such as packing your lunch and folding the laundry before bedtime is essential. Instead, enjoy relaxing activities like reading a book or listening to soothing music. Finally, consider self-medicating with food, alcohol, or sleep aids to help you sleep if anxiety at bedtime persists.

Add a Weighted Blanket to Your Bed

Weighted blankets are effective in helping to calm anxiety and help people fall asleep. They provide deep-pressure stimulation, which can reduce insomnia and anxiety. These blankets are often filled with small iron or steel weights, which can deliver constant pressure on the body and help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Some weighted blankets also contain healing magnets that can aid in the release of stress and anxiety. People who struggle to sleep may find relief using a weighted blanket, as it delivers deep-pressure stimulation that can calm the nervous system and help people fall asleep quickly. Additionally, the health benefits of weighted blankets include increased serotonin and melatonin levels, which can promote feelings of calmness and peacefulness.

Write Down Your Worries on Paper

Worries and anxiety can often plague us at night, keeping us from falling asleep. Writing down your worries on paper can help you remain accountable for your feelings and plan for the day ahead. Stream-of-consciousness journaling is a great way to ease pre-bedtime anxiety.

Research shows that writing can help you fall asleep faster and sleep better. In addition, keeping a journal beside your bed can help you detach from worries and help you sleep better. Instead of using your phone before bed, the blue light from the screen can keep you awake. So remember to write down your worries, take deep breaths, and prioritize sleep to overcome anxiety at bedtime.

Avoid Lying in Bed Awake

If you cannot fall asleep after lying in bed for more than 20 minutes, try doing a sleep-inducing activity such as having tea or reading a book. Stimulus control can help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. In addition, avoid caffeine, stimulants, alcohol, large meals, and drinking a lot of fluid several hours before bed.

Creating a sleep-friendly bedroom by keeping it cool and dark with blackout curtains and an eye mask can help promote sleep. Additionally, putting your phone to bed before your own can help you avoid the risk of anxiety due to social media or email alerts late at night. Try these tips to help overcome anxiety at bedtime and fall asleep faster.

Make Plans for Tomorrow

To help overcome anxiety at bedtime, it’s crucial to make plans for tomorrow. This can include planning the day ahead to avoid surprises that may lead to anxiety. Additionally, preparing for the next day can help manage anxiety levels. It’s also a good idea to keep a journal next to the bed to jot down worries and any negative thoughts that may be creeping into your mind.

If you can’t sleep, soothing music can calm the nervous system and help with anxiety symptoms. Getting out of bed in a smart manner when anxiety is causing issues can also be helpful. Remember, getting out of bed is ok if you need to, but doing so in a thought-out manner will help reduce anxiety levels.

Know Your Triggers

Anxiety can be a significant problem at night, making sleeping and functioning hard. Identifying the situations and activities that trigger your anxiety is essential to overcoming this problem. To improve sleep, avoid doom-scrolling before bed, caffeine, and other stimulating activities that can keep you awake at night. Instead, create a sleep-friendly bedroom environment by keeping it dark and quiet.

An excellent way to identify anxiety-triggering situations is to keep a mental list before bedtime. This will help you prepare for when anxiety begins to spike. Use an app like RISE to help you time your sleep habits for better results.

How Anxiety Impacts Sleep

Anxiety can hurt sleep quality. When anxiety and insomnia co-exist, the sleep cycle is disrupted, which can result in poor-quality sleep and, ultimately, mental health issues such as depression.

If anxiety is causing you to stay up too late at night or wake up frequently, it may be time to seek professional help. Insomnia is associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, including depression, and physical health problems, such as heart disease. It is vital to identify and address any underlying factors that are contributing to insomnia and anxiety.

This will ensure you can sleep soundly and wake up refreshed and ready to face the day.

What are Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense anxiety, with symptoms such as feeling faint, dizzy, or light-headed. These symptoms can be so overwhelming that the person experiencing them may feel like they will die. Other common symptoms include chest pains, shortness of breath, a racing or pounding heart, hyperventilating, and trembling or shaking. But panic attacks can vary from person to person and can last from 5 minutes to half an hour.

One reason panic attacks can occur at night is because of pent-up worries or anxieties. These feelings can build up over time and lead to panic attacks. Over time, panic attacks can become more frequent, and the fear of having a panic attack can become embedded, resulting in a vicious cycle. To prevent this spiral and get rid of anxiety at night, it’s essential to identify the cause of the anxiety and work on it accordingly.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve covered the basics of nighttime anxiety, it’s time to get to the heart of the problem. Hopefully, we outlined how to get rid of anxiety at night. I know that nighttime anxiety can be very scary, but there are many things you can do to help calm your racing thoughts and sleep better. Try practicing good sleep hygiene, meditating, exercising, and setting aside time to wind down before bedtime.

Also, avoid caffeine and other stimulants close to bedtime and incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing into your nighttime routine. If you’re still having trouble falling asleep or managing anxiety and nighttime fears, consider making plans for the next day or writing down your worries on paper. Most of all, remember that you’re not alone. Many people struggle with nighttime anxiety, and the more you understand it, the better equipped you will be to manage it.