A guide that helps those who suffer from anxiety to sleep better.

1. depthcounseling.org
* Source: https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental
illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults
age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population
every year.* If anxiety is keeping you
awake, here are 7 ways to get the
sleep you need.
How to Get
Sleep When You
Have Anxiety
EXERCISE
Regular exercise in the morning or afternoon, including yoga, walking
and cardio workouts, relaxes the body and calms the mind, making it
easier to fall asleep at night.
ABSTAIN
Don’t a big meal within two hours of bedtime. Digesting food
makes it much harder for the body to shift into sleep mode. Avoid
caffeine and alcohol late in the day as well.
PREPARE
Before turning in, meditate, listen to calming music, read, take a bath
or enjoy a cup of chamomile tea. Try essential oils such as lavender as
a massage medium, in your bath or simply leave an open bottle nearby.
Don’t talk on the phone, surf the Web or do anything stimulating.
SCHEDULE
Having a set time to go to bed and wake up helps put your body in
a rhythm conducive to healthy sleep. It may be difficult, but try to
stick to your schedule even during holidays and when traveling.
OPTIMIZE
Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and cool. Purchase a good mattress,
use a comfy pillow, and turn on a fan or other ambient noise to set the
right conditions and mood for optimum sleep.
DRIFT
Turn the clock away from you so you won’t keep checking the
time before you fall asleep or if you awaken during the night.
Clock watching increases anxiety.
CONSULT
Let friends and family know about your problem rather than suffer in
silence. Seek a specialist to find a treatment plan for your anxiety if
sleep issues persist.