Fabia Shahzadi
Stress can interfere with getting a good night’s rest, which can make you feel even more stressed the following next day. If stress has been keeping you up at night, it is important to minimize your stress and jump back to a regular sleep schedule. There are several things you can do to counter nighttime stress.
Understand the problem: Stress is a physical response to something that might harm you in some way. In other words, it is your body’s way of protecting you from a perceived threat. People respond to stress in different ways. Some people indulges oneself in a “fight” mode where they are angry and agitated while others go into “flight” mode where they become depressed or shows signs of withdrawl. Then there are people who go in to “freeze” mode where they are incapable of responding to any stimulus.
Identify the cause of your stress:If you are so stressed that you cannot sleep, it is important to pinpoint the reasons behind your stress. Figuring out what is bothering you and doing what you can to deal with the problem may help you to fall asleep and sleep better through the night. Consider what you are stressed about and how you can eliminate or at least minimize the problem.
Write it down: Before you sleep, write down what are the things that pissed you off earlier today. Make sure you mention in your journal everything that upset you. The following morning, before starting the day take a good look at what you have written the previous night and try not to repeat those same mistakes. This way you can gradually know where your stress lies and work on them each day to overcome it. This can often provide a sense of relief.
Problem-solve: If you have determined that the stress is due to something that you can address, try writing out a list of some options for resolving it. Actively problem-solving can help you feel like you are making progress toward solving the root of your stress, rather than allowing yourself to get stuck in a negative feedback loop over and over again.
Set a “worry break”: Reminding yourself to “stop stressing out” can be about as effective as telling yourself not to think about the ghost from conjuring (It haunts me every night!). Instead of suppressing your stress, give yourself a short, set period of time earlier in the day during which you can worry away the troubling issue.
Try mindfulness techniques for sleep: Mindfulness techniques can help you fight the urge to stress about the past or future by focusing your attention and acceptance on the present moment. This might not make sense but it is effectual!