Spending Sleepless Nights During COVID: Why and What You Can Do

Due to the many horrors inflicted upon human society by the novel coronavirus, people are reportedly having a difficult time trying to sleep peacefully. 

Coronasomnia is a new term that has been coined taking into consideration the sleep-deprived state caused due to insomnia, which has been largely triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. 

 Dr. Anamika Rathore, consultant ENT/endoscopic sinus and sleep apnea surgeon, Bhatia Hospital Mumbai pointed out few factors that have resulted in sleep deprivation, also known as insomnia. 

Stress generated by the fear of contracting the virus, consumption of negative news content, helplessness, unable to meet family/friends affected by COVID-19, the demise of family/friends, etc has been the leading cause for sleepless nights. 

Another major contributor to insomnia is the change in lifestyle caused by the pandemic. Lack of exercise, excessive screen time, napping during the daytime, excessive work pressure during work from home are the few lifestyle changes many have been subjected to which hampers the mental stability causing sleeplessness. 

Financial stress is another contributing factor to insomnia, that has some way or the other affected majority of the people during the pandemic. Unemployment, no income, salary cut, high expenditure for COVID-19 treatment have rendered people sleep-deprived. 

Dr. Rathore says that COVID itself can be causing insomnia "due to various symptoms like shortness of breath, body aches, anxiety, depression, psychosis, nightmares, feeling of doom". 

"Fever and lack of taste might keep a person awake," added Dr. Rathore. 

She went on to say that lack of sleep lowers immunity and increases inflammation, which leads to additional symptoms and sleeplessness, creating a vicious cycle.

Self-isolation and long periods of quarantine, as well as not being able to talk to family or friends in person, are key contributors. To a large extent, staying connected can prevent it.

Insomnia is a matter of huge concern. Not only does insomnia induce weariness and sleep loss, but it also puts you at risk for hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. These factors, combined with a lack of sleep, make one more prone to covid-19. More anxiety and tension may result as a result of this.

Dr. Rathore describes the way out of this sleeping disorder. "The most basic advice here is to stay away from news and too many online updates. Concentrate more on recovered patients, follow a daily routine with exercises and a healthy diet and watch one's sleep schedule by avoiding excess daytime sleep. Reduce screen time and nurture some hobbies like music, art, reading etc. Eat healthy," she said.

The stress of not being able to sleep due to insomnia further aggravates the condition resulting in disrupted, fragmented sleep. 

"To combat it, if medications are taken, they alter normal sleep cycle and there is not much relief," said Dr Rathore. 

"Most of these can be prevented by observing and following sleep hygiene, less screen time, more physical activity, relaxation techniques, avoiding daytime naps, reducing alcohol intake/smoking, avoiding negative news and maintaining a positive attitude," said Dr Rathore.

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