Coronavirus keeping you up? Your'e not alone
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Published Apr 29, 2020 8:01 PM EDT
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched nearly every fiber of our waking lives -- from social distancing to wearing face masks to homeschooling and talking to our kids about coronavirus to maybe even having to look for a job. Now, coronavirus is taking aim at a refuge from all the stress and anxiety: our sleep. Social media is lighting up with insomniacs and people describing very vivid dreams, and there could be a link between what we’re dreaming and coronavirus.
This phenomenon is gaining so much traction that it is starting to get the attention of researchers who are looking into studying pandemic dreams. National Geographic reports that at least five research teams, including one studying 600 people, are collecting examples of people’s dreams. One of their findings so far is that pandemic dreams are being fueled by stress, isolation, and changes in sleep patterns. These negative emotions feed off each other and find their ways into your dreams, causing them to be more vivid, and sometimes downright terrifying. With hundreds of millions of people sheltering at home during the coronavirus pandemic, some dream experts believe that straying from the norms of our everyday routines and usual environments force our subconscious minds to tap heavily into themes from our past. For example, if you’re a baseball fan who may have read a political post on Facebook before going to bed, your mind might link the two and suddenly President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Angels Outfielder Mike Trout are hanging out in your dreams. This is called dream incorporation and is more common than we think. Not only are the dreams becoming more bizarre, they’re also becoming more memorable. Most dreaming takes place in the lightest stage of sleep, known as “rapid eye movement” (REM) sleep. Researchers say the fact most people are remembering dreams or remembering them in vivid detail is due to their sleep being more disturbed. This is common if our minds are focused on dealing with the impacts of coronavirus
Photo by Ben Blennerhassett
Ben Blennerhassett
Drifting off to sleep isn’t as easy as it used to be thanks to the stress coronavirus is adding to our lives. From wondering about our own health, the health of our loved ones, when stimulus checks may arrive and when things will get back to normal -- there is a lot keeping us up at night. Our brains simply can’t turn off and on like a light switch allowing us to drift off to dreamland. Google searches for insomnia are at an all-time high while 1 in 5 people say coronavirus concerns are keeping them up at night, according to a study from SleepHelp. Researchers say just like the vivid dreams problem, the major disruption in our normal day-to-day routines is a shock to our system. Our bodies really don’t know how to process the added layers of stress. Many people are turning to caffeine, food, and alcohol to help cope with the COVID-19 anxiety. Experts say this can backfire if you overindulge at any time, especially so close to bedtime. While virtual happy hours and get-togethers are getting us through this crazy time, be mindful of how close you’re doing them to bedtime. They may amp you up instead of chilling you out.
Photo by Gregory Pappas
Gregory Pappas
Experts agree the best treatment in preventing coronavirus-fueled vivid dreams is to sleep more soundly. If your sleep is solid and unbroken, you’ll wake up less often during the night and those bad dreams won’t be as bothersome.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers tips on how to fall asleep easier and how to stay asleep.
-
Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends
-
Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature
-
Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smartphones, from the bedroom
-
Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
-
Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
-
Have a wind-down routine that doesn’t involve scrolling social media or watching the news before bed.
Photo by Twinsfisch
Twinsfisch
Taking care of our mental health during the coronavirus pandemic is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Experts say exercise can improve mental health and reduce stress, and with gyms closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, people can take their exercise routines outdoors for an added boost with a dose of Vitamin D and sunlight. The new AccuWeather podcast focused on all-things coronavirus has other great tips on keeping your mental health in tip-top shape during the coronavirus pandemic. The new developments on the coronavirus front are happening at lightning speed so it’s important to stay informed. AccuWeather is committed to helping you get through this uncertain time. We’re constantly updating the latest information with comprehensive coverage on our website, AccuWeather TV network, plus Twitter and Facebook social media pages.
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News / Health
Coronavirus keeping you up? Your'e not alone
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Apr 29, 2020 8:01 PM EDT
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched nearly every fiber of our waking lives -- from social distancing to wearing face masks to homeschooling and talking to our kids about coronavirus to maybe even having to look for a job. Now, coronavirus is taking aim at a refuge from all the stress and anxiety: our sleep. Social media is lighting up with insomniacs and people describing very vivid dreams, and there could be a link between what we’re dreaming and coronavirus.
Photo by Shane
Wild and vivid dreams
This phenomenon is gaining so much traction that it is starting to get the attention of researchers who are looking into studying pandemic dreams. National Geographic reports that at least five research teams, including one studying 600 people, are collecting examples of people’s dreams. One of their findings so far is that pandemic dreams are being fueled by stress, isolation, and changes in sleep patterns. These negative emotions feed off each other and find their ways into your dreams, causing them to be more vivid, and sometimes downright terrifying. With hundreds of millions of people sheltering at home during the coronavirus pandemic, some dream experts believe that straying from the norms of our everyday routines and usual environments force our subconscious minds to tap heavily into themes from our past. For example, if you’re a baseball fan who may have read a political post on Facebook before going to bed, your mind might link the two and suddenly President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Angels Outfielder Mike Trout are hanging out in your dreams. This is called dream incorporation and is more common than we think. Not only are the dreams becoming more bizarre, they’re also becoming more memorable. Most dreaming takes place in the lightest stage of sleep, known as “rapid eye movement” (REM) sleep. Researchers say the fact most people are remembering dreams or remembering them in vivid detail is due to their sleep being more disturbed. This is common if our minds are focused on dealing with the impacts of coronavirus
Photo by Ben Blennerhassett
Coronavirus insomnia
Drifting off to sleep isn’t as easy as it used to be thanks to the stress coronavirus is adding to our lives. From wondering about our own health, the health of our loved ones, when stimulus checks may arrive and when things will get back to normal -- there is a lot keeping us up at night. Our brains simply can’t turn off and on like a light switch allowing us to drift off to dreamland. Google searches for insomnia are at an all-time high while 1 in 5 people say coronavirus concerns are keeping them up at night, according to a study from SleepHelp. Researchers say just like the vivid dreams problem, the major disruption in our normal day-to-day routines is a shock to our system. Our bodies really don’t know how to process the added layers of stress. Many people are turning to caffeine, food, and alcohol to help cope with the COVID-19 anxiety. Experts say this can backfire if you overindulge at any time, especially so close to bedtime. While virtual happy hours and get-togethers are getting us through this crazy time, be mindful of how close you’re doing them to bedtime. They may amp you up instead of chilling you out.
Photo by Gregory Pappas
How to sleep better
Experts agree the best treatment in preventing coronavirus-fueled vivid dreams is to sleep more soundly. If your sleep is solid and unbroken, you’ll wake up less often during the night and those bad dreams won’t be as bothersome.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers tips on how to fall asleep easier and how to stay asleep.
Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends
Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature
Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smartphones, from the bedroom
Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
Have a wind-down routine that doesn’t involve scrolling social media or watching the news before bed.
Photo by Twinsfisch
Taking care of our mental health during the coronavirus pandemic is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Experts say exercise can improve mental health and reduce stress, and with gyms closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, people can take their exercise routines outdoors for an added boost with a dose of Vitamin D and sunlight. The new AccuWeather podcast focused on all-things coronavirus has other great tips on keeping your mental health in tip-top shape during the coronavirus pandemic. The new developments on the coronavirus front are happening at lightning speed so it’s important to stay informed. AccuWeather is committed to helping you get through this uncertain time. We’re constantly updating the latest information with comprehensive coverage on our website, AccuWeather TV network, plus Twitter and Facebook social media pages.
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