COPING WITH STRESS

COPING WITH STRESS - SLEEPING

“If you can’t cope with it, sleep on it,” advises Sadeh. Sometimes sleep can help
one regulate ones nervousness and offers an escape from stress, particularly when there
is nothing one can do about it. But, why do some people lose sleep during periods of
stress, while others slip into sleep quietly? Research suggests that the difference may be
explained by the ways people cope. At Tel Aviv University, Dr. Avi Sadeh conducted a
study of students. He found that those “who tended to focus on their emotions and anxiety
during the high-stress period were more likely to shorten their sleep, while those who tended
to ignore emotions and focus on tasks extended their sleep and shut themselves off from
stress.”

Want a better night’s sleep? Try the following tips by National Sleep Foundation.:

• Consume less or no caffeine and avoid alcohol.
• Drink less fluids before going to sleep.
• Avoid heavy meals close to bedtime.
• Avoid nicotine.
• Exercise regularly, but do so in the daytime, preferably after noon.
• Try a relaxing routine, like soaking in hot water (a hot tub or bath) before bedtime.
• Establish a regular bedtime and waketime schedule.
• Keep a sleep diary before and after you try these tips. If the quality of your sleep
does not improve, share this diary with your doctor.