How Watching The Clock Impacts Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It can have a variety of causes, but one major factor that often goes overlooked is the impact of watching the clock. In fact, research has shown that checking the time frequently during the night can worsen insomnia and lead to other sleep-related problems.
If you’re someone who struggles with insomnia or has trouble falling asleep at night, it’s important to understand the role that watching the clock can play in exacerbating your condition. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between checking the time and insomnia, and provide some tips for breaking this harmful habit.
The Impact Of Checking The Time
When you’re lying awake in bed at night, it’s tempting to turn over and check your clock every few minutes. However, this actually does more harm than good. For one thing, it can increase anxiety and stress, which are common factors that further disrupt sleep. Additionally, looking at a bright screen in the middle of the night can interfere with your body’s natural circadian rhythms, which regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Perhaps the biggest problem with watching the clock, however, is that it creates pressure to fall asleep quickly. When you’re constantly checking the time, you become acutely aware of how long you’ve been awake, and may begin to worry about not getting enough sleep. This type of performance anxiety can further disrupt your sleep and create a vicious cycle of sleeplessness.
Tips For Breaking The Habit
If you’re guilty of checking the clock too often, there are some steps you can take to help break the habit and improve your sleep:
1. Cover your clock or turn it away from you so that it’s out of sight.
2. Avoid looking at your phone or other electronic devices before bed, as the blue light they emit can interfere with your sleep.
3. Engage in relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.
4. Consider investing in a white noise machine or other sleep aids to mask any distracting sounds and promote a more restful atmosphere.
Conclusion
While watching the clock may seem like a harmless habit, it can actually contribute to insomnia and other sleep disorders. By breaking this habit and implementing healthy sleep habits, you can improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, and wake up feeling more refreshed and energized. Keep these tips in mind the next time you find yourself checking the clock at night, and remember that a good night’s sleep is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing.
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