• Vitamins & Supplements
  • Food & Drink
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Free From
  • Natural Beauty
  • Weight Management
  • Offers
  • Summer Shop
  • The Health Hub
  • Learn more Healthbox
  • Account
Track your order Delivery & Returns Help Centre My subscriptions

Customer Service

  • Contact us
  • Site map
  • Site map
  • Store locator

About us

  • Who are we
  • Working at Holland & Barrett
  • Press releases
  • Privacy & cookie policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Holland & Barrett More
  • Holland & Barrett International
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Modern Slavery Statement

Connect with us

Store
0370 606 6606
My account
Rewards
  • Sign in
  • How do I join?
  • What are the benefits?
  • FAQs
Holland & Barrett :: the good life
  • Menu
  • Account
  • Store
  • Basket
    Search for
    • Vitamins & Supplements
    • Food & Drink
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Free From
    • Natural Beauty
    • Weight Management
    • Offers
    • The Health Hub
    • Healthbox

    Home / Conditions / Sleep / Sleep Help / Does stress cause bad sleep?

    Does stress cause bad sleep?

    Do you often lie awake at night with a concoction of worries swirling around in your head? It can be very frustrating when all you want to do is get a good night’s sleep, but your mind and body won’t switch off. Stress sends your mind into overdrive, so how on earth are you supposed to fall asleep?

    If you are wondering whether stress causes bad sleep, the answer is most definitely, yes. In order to be able to gently drift off into a peaceful sleep, your mind needs to be calm and uninterrupted.

    Trouble sleeping caused by stress can result in a vicious cycle – you are stressed so you can’t sleep, but not being able to sleep causes more stress. Why does stress cause bad sleep? Well, stress causes hyperarousal, which can upset the balance between sleep and wakefulness.

    Not only does stress cause a lack of sleep, but it also has an impact on the quality of sleep you get. Approximately 42% of adults report getting only fair or poor quality sleep when they’re stressed, according a stress survey.

    David Spiegel, director of the Centre of stress and health at Stanford University explains that when you sleep your body goes from its active sympathetic nervous system, to the more relaxed parasympathetic nervous system. But when you are stressed, the sympathetic nervous system doesn’t shut down, leaving your brain in a hyperactive state.

    To sum up, that means that worry and stress will mess up your sleep. So you might need to do something about it. Review your lifestyle and find ways to reduce your stress levels. We’ve also got some superstar sleep products that can help you to drift off in the meantime.

    Calming scents such as lavender can help to calm you down. Plus doing some things that will help you de stress before bed, such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and getting your thoughts down on paper can really help.

    Tweet
    Follow on Instagram
    Sleep Help

    You may also like

    What are sleep gummies? And can they really help you sleep?

    Article

    What are sleep gummies? And can they really help you sleep?

    Gummies that can help you sleep: Sweet! But hold on a second. What are sleep..

    READ MORE...
    5 top tips for deeper and longer sleep

    Article

    5 top tips for deeper and longer sleep

    Do you sometimes wake up feeling like you’ve barely slept? You may be missing out..

    READ MORE...
    Insomnia: your complete guide + 15 of the best natural insomnia treatments

    Article

    Insomnia: your complete guide + 15 of the best natural insomnia treatments

    How to cure insomnia naturally: 15 of the best insomnia remedies Figuring out how to..

    READ MORE...

    Connect with us

    • Log in Register
    • rewards for life

    Customer service

    • Store locator
    • Contact us
    • Site feedback
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Delivery & returns
    • Site map
    • My account

    About us

    • Who we are
    • Working at Holland & Barrett
    • Press room
    • Privacy & cookie policy
    • Terms & conditions
    • Holland & Barrett More
    • Holland & Barrett International

    Brands

    • Holland & Barrett
    • Bootea
    • Dr Organic
    • Precision Engineered
    • Manuka Doctor
    • Good n Natural
    • Miaroma
    Register
    Click to verify if this website is operating legally

    Copyright © Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2017. All rights reserved. hollandandbarrett.com is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited,. Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Registered in England: company no. 2758955. Registered VAT no. 211727395.