Your Health

Why Can’t I Stay Asleep?

Anxiety

There is a close link between anxiety and sleep. If you feel anxious, it can be harder to fall asleep, and vice versa, difficulty sleeping may worsen your anxiety. In fact, sleep issues may co-occur in nearly all mental health problems. Scientists have found that the form of sleep disruption can vary, depending on the type of anxiety you have. For instance, those with trait anxiety, meaning their personality is more anxious, typically have more difficulty staying asleep. On the other hand, those with state anxiety, which is triggered by a current circumstance, usually find it harder to fall asleep. [4]