![]() ![]() People are working, exercising, and socializing inside their homes and even in their bedrooms, which can weaken the cognitive and behavioral associations between those areas and rest or relaxation, Rubman said. ![]() “It makes perfect sense that sleep complaints are on the rise right now, because all of the stay-at-home conditions we experience throughout the day are exactly the factors that we know can affect sleep,” said Susan Rubman, PhD, a behavioral sleep psychologist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. Those facing difficulties fell into three categories: less time in bed, more time in bed, or delayed sleep schedule ( Journal of Sleep Research, Vol. In a survey of 5,525 Canadian adults conducted between April and June 2020, she and her colleagues found that sleep problems rose from 36% before the pandemic to more than 50%. The link between sleep and mental health is just as strong-and just as important-as ever, said Rébecca Robillard, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa, who leads clinical sleep research at the Royal Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research. 4, 2021 “ Mental health and sleep,” Sleep Foundation). 17, 2015 Fang, Y., et al., npj Digital Medicine, Vol. A., et al., Current Psychiatry Reports, Vol. ![]() Sleep disturbances also hinder social, motor, and cognitive skills and predict suicide risk, depression, and other mental health problems (Bernert, R. Sleeping more or less than recommended-typically 7 to 9 hours a night-is a significant predictor of death by any cause (Cappuccio, F. “For many of us spending time at home, this is a wonderful opportunity to regularize our sleep patterns and reap all the benefits that stem from a good night’s rest.” How sleep went awryĮven before the pandemic, more than 50 million Americans suffered from a sleep disorder, most commonly insomnia, which can involve trouble falling or staying asleep, waking early or throughout the night, or poor sleep quality (“ Sleep and Sleep Disorder Statistics,” American Sleep Association).ĭecades of research have linked chronic sleep deprivation to an increased risk for obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and problems with immune function (“ Sleep and Sleep Disorders,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). “The good news is there are treatments that work,” said psychologist James Maas, PhD, a retired professor at Cornell University and an international consultant on sleep. Those suffering from post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or “long COVID syndrome,” where post-infection symptoms persist for months, are also reporting insomnia, sleep apnea, night sweats, and other problems (“ An Analysis of the Prolonged COVID-19 Symptoms Survey,” Patient-Led Research Collaborative, 2020).Įven after a stressful experience ends, sleep disturbances may continue-so experts say problems with sleep could persist into the coming months as life begins to normalize. Some people are sleeping more than ever, while others face shortened schedules, delayed schedules, or insomnia. Psychologists are finding a range of sleep changes associated with the pandemic. “A vicious cycle may form that is very difficult to diagnose and treat properly.” “Once sleep is disrupted, it can impact mental and physical health, which may in turn cause further sleep disruption,” said Athena Akrami, PhD, a neuroscientist at University College London who is studying cognitive dysfunction in COVID-19, including sleep disturbances. And given the crucial role sleep plays in both physical and mental health, psychologists say it’s important to be proactive in addressing any issues. Upended routines, more screen time, increased alcohol consumption, and dissolving boundaries between work and private life are just a few of the factors contributing to problems with sleep. Since the pandemic began, researchers around the world have documented a surge in sleep disorders, with 2 in 3 Americans reporting they are now sleeping either more or less than desired (Partinen, M., The Lancet Neurology, Vol. ![]()
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