How Women Can Break the Cycle of Spiraling Before Bedtime

(Family Features) Sleep is a priority for holistic health, but many women aren’t getting enough of it. Not only does it affect your overall health, but stress-related sleep loss also makes it difficult to maintain focus and energy throughout the day. Nearly half (45%) of women ages 40-60 lose more than two hours of sleep each night due to spiraling thoughts with 10% reporting losing more than four hours of sleep, according to Natrol’s Sleep Spiral Survey, revealing challenges women in this age range face for achieving quality sleep. “Busy women often struggle with sleep due to lingering stress and anxiety from managing work, family and personal responsibilities, which can lead to spiraling thoughts, keeping the mind active at night,” said Dr. Shelby Harris, a sleep expert and director of sleep at Sleepopolis. According to survey participants, personal finances are the top sleep disruptor, with 50% of women citing concerns over money as the primary reason they can’t fall asleep most nights. Additionally, 45% of women cite anxiety about the future often keeping them from falling asleep. Seasonal factors can also impact a good night’s rest. The holiday season is the most challenging time for sleep, with 51% of women experiencing increased late-night thoughts during this period. Understanding the cause of your sleep disruption is an important step toward improving your sleeping habits, especially since 1 in 3 women have more difficulty sleeping now than they did one year ago. Regain control of your sleep with these tips: Set the scene for sleep. Harris recommends updating your sleep environment for better results. “Avoid bright light and limit screen time at least an hour before bed and focus on creating a cozy sleep environment that suits your needs for quality rest,” she said. “Choose comfortable bedding, set the room to a cool temperature and incorporate soothing sounds like a white noise machine or fan to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep.” Establish a consistent bedtime routine. You can teach your body to anticipate bedtime and ease into better sleep. Begin preparing for bed at the same time each night and go through the same ritual. That might include grooming and self-care habits to help you wind down for the night. Consider a sleep aid supplement. Many women (1 in 4) often simply give up trying to fall asleep when experiencing spiraling thoughts, with 89% at least occasionally giving up on sleep altogether and choosing to get out of bed. Melatonin supplements can help calm the mind before bed so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep.† Consider Natrol’s selection of drug-free Melatonin Gummies, which can help manage occasional sleep disruptions and support quality sleep. Take steps to manage stress. Prioritizing stress relief can benefit your overall health along with helping you get better rest. Engaging in relaxing activities like reading, meditating or listening to music can be especially helpful in the evening to clear and soothe your mind before you head for bed. Harris recommends talking with your doctor if you’ve tried various sleep hygiene strategies and find you’re still struggling to get restorative sleep. “You can discuss whether a sleep aid such as melatonin is appropriate for you and align on the right amount and timing to address your sleep concerns,” she said. Find more ideas to support better sleep health at Natrol.com.   Photo courtesy of Shutterstock   †These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.