I’m in my 30s/female and have always had anxiety in varying degrees. I’ve always gone to bed reeeally late like 2, 2:30. I finally realized that I have always been avoiding “winding down” because the quiet can make me uncomfortable. I watch TV, listen to podcasts, play games on my phone because silence lets the thoughts creep in. Even worse, I wake up exhausted every day and always swear I’ll do better and go to bed earlier. I sleep 8 hours but I think my body clock hates the late time I finally give in to sleep and I must not be getting good sleep because of the way I feel.
Reading this back, perhaps I’m able to give myself the advice I would give to someone else. I’m not doing myself any favors this way. Sleep is so important. Do you do this too? Stay up late? A lot of people with anxiety lovvve sleep and look at it as an escape from anxious thought... just curious.
I hope no one tells me I’m an idiot for not listening to my body... I already beat myself up about it for not having made the healthy change yet.
Guess what? it’s 11:45 and just writing this to you all makes me feel motivated. I’m going to at least start getting ready for bed. Take it one day at a time, right?
Thanks for any words of encouragement or understanding. 🙏
Hello, I understand this feeling all too well. When my anxiety is bad I almost fear the night time and have found myself staying up late and then getting disturbed intermittent rest that makes me feel exhausted the next day - which increases my anxiety. What I have found helpful is to do some exercise whatever time it to ease the excess tension, that may be going for a walk or doing something at home. I've also found that there are some good relaxation apps.The Sleepstream app is good and offers a mix of music, sounds and guided meditations which you can choose from, you can listen to this in bed whilst you relax.
Just a couple of ideas, I hope you manage to get some rest tonight!
Thank you Pickman. As you can see, I didn’t make it to bed yet. I will look for sleepstream, thank you for responding, and I hope you sleep well, too.
Anxietyisreal hi. I used to do this too because I always feel better later but yeah... it doesn't work for you long term. Gotta be good to yourself.
Al
Thanks Al❤️ I get in a bad cycle with naps, so now I’m up late again not feeling tired even though I’m in bed. I’ve written out a plan of action and in I’m starting “tonight”. Wish me luck!
Used to do this also lol. It switched eventually though, and changed to me being so fatigued from my anxiety during the day that I couldn't wait to go to bed haha. Then it switched again to me falling asleep fine but waking up 2 hours later wide awake and anxious.
Isn't anxiety fun?! Lol