Is COVID keeping you up? You might be suffering from coronasomnia

If coronavirus has been keeping you up at night, then you might have coronasomnia. Read on to know what you can do about insomnia in the times of COVID.

By: Arushi Bidhuri | | Updated: March 5, 2021 8:17 am

What started in Wuhan in the winter of 2019 upended people’s lives and led to stress, and other health diseases. One health problem that gained prominence amidst the pandemic is insomnia. If the coronavirus has been keeping you up at night, then you must be suffering from a problem referred to as “Coronasomnia.” A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that 40 per cent of people are experiencing sleep problems due to the pandemic. It was revealed by Google Trends that Google searches for insomnia increased by 58 per cent during the first five months of 2020, peaking at 3 am. Also Read - Sleep apnea: The obstruction to good health

Chronic Stress – The Major Cause Of Insomnia During COVID

There’s no doubt that the year 2020 was stressful and took a toll on everyone’s life. Stress impacted sleep patterns and triggered insomnia, which makes it difficult for people to fall asleep and stay asleep. And when people lose sleep, they find it difficult to modulate thoughts and emotions the next day, contributing to stress. While chronic stress is one major factor, there are other factors too that contributed to the prevailing problem. Also Read - World Sleep Day: New non-contact techniques to diagnose sleep apnea during Covid-19

Lifestyle Changes During The Pandemic Contributed To Coronasomnia

From inconsistent schedules to homeschooling kids to increased screen time, many factors contributed to disrupted sleep cycles. The pandemic changed our routines and habits completely. Lack of consistent schedules led to inconsistent sleep schedules, which is an important element required to maintain proper sleep hygiene. Also Read - World Sleep Day 2020: Exercise your way to a good night’s sleep

Elevated screen time also decreased sleep time, which studies have shown made people sleep-deprived. Blue light exposure stops our brain from producing melatonin. So, staring at a screen before bed can be one of the worst things we do when trying to achieve healthy sleep.

Here’s How To Get Rid Of The Problem And Get The Rest You Need

If you want to take steps to improve your sleep, here are some that could help you:

Eat And Drink Properly

Include more magnesium-rich foods like nuts, seeds, avocados or dark chocolate. They help reduce your body’s response and improve sleep quality. Also, keep yourself hydrated by drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.

Cut Back On Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcohol for a sound sleep. Most people think that drinking promotes better sleep, but that’s partially true. While it helps you relax for the first half of your sleep, it can disrupt the second half.

Avoid Caffeine

Coffee is bad for someone trying to induce better sleep. If you want to improve your sleep patterns and get rid of insomnia, cut back on caffeine, especially after 2 pm.