Not Sleeping During the Pandemic

If you are one to worry daily about the COVID-19 pandemic it may be taking a toll on your sleep pattern. This can cause a high amount of stress and lead to a grumpy you when your beauty sleep is not achieved.

Health experts with Sanford Health have a pretty good picture on why you may not be getting a good night’s sleep. When stress levels are high and the to-do list is long, getting quality sleep might seem like an elusive goal. Dr. Chirag Patel with Sanford Health specializes in pulmonology and sleep medicine. He says that because the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly on people’s minds, it can lead to more vivid dreams or nightmares.

“Anything that occupies your mind for a large portion of the day can sometimes spill over into nighttime,” Dr. Patel said. “Sometimes you have dreams about the subject; sometimes you may have dreams that are not related to the subject directly but may still be nightmarish or anxiety-inducing.”

Now let's talk about food. There are superfoods that can help you get a better night’s sleep. Yogurt, fish, bananas, broccoli, oranges, tomatoes, and nuts are all good for a healthy diet and they are great sleep-foods.

Are you a pre-bedtime-snacker? Stay away from alcohol, red meat, and spicy foods. Instead, go for a slice of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter or almond butter. Have a bowl of oatmeal or chamomile tea.