Insomnia. It keeps people awake into the late hours of the night without question. Anxiety, depression, chronic pain, stimulants and others are to blame for causing one’s lack of sleep and substance use disorder can further antagonize this problem.
People using drugs or alcohol to put themselves to sleep will find that it only further exacerbates the situation at hand. After all, every substance affects one’s psyche. It can spike anxiety and depression, which can lead to one’s eyes staying open into the late night hours.
Recovering from addiction is a tough fight, and one’s quality of sleep is vital to overcoming the withdrawal effects of substances.
6 Tips to help combat insomnia
1) Set a schedule
– Sticking to a sleep schedule will help create an internal alarm clock. It will tell one’s brain when to feel tired and go to sleep.
2) Cut out the caffeine
– Stimulants keep people going throughout the day and potentially into the night. Cutting down on coffee, tea, energy drinks will help one to fall asleep at night.
3) Exercise
– Anxiety is a major player when dealing with insomnia. Roughly 30-minutes of exercise (running, yoga, weightlifting) will help calm the mind down and allow one to relax at night.
4) Meditation
– Like exercise, meditation helps in combating anxiety. Taking time to breath will put the mind at ease helping one stay asleep.
5) Healthy eating
– Maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding late snacks will prevent one from getting a spike of energy late at night. Avoiding sugary and spicy foods will make it easier to get into bed and relax.
6) Get rid of Screens
– Phones, tablets, and tv are great distractions for staying awake at night. Keeping the phone on the nightstand and away from your head while the television is off will prevent that distraction and allow one to focus on rest.
Sleeping is what helps the brain function properly. A lack of sleep can lead to depression, impairs judgment, and can increase the risk of relapse. Going to bed and getting a higher quality of sleep will only help in combating addiction.
