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It’s been virtually a year to the day since America and, indeed, the whole world began reacting to the pandemic. Problems associated with lockdowns, social distancing and all the other efforts aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 have been well documented. One little discussed problem, though, is a mundane but very important one: how to get a good night’s rest when you’re filled with anxiety.

In an article in The Harvard Gazette, Clea Simon notes that “Sleep is emerging as the latest casualty of the COVID-19 crisis. Too many sleepless nights can aggravate both physical and mental health problems.” The good news, though, is that “a few simple adjustments to our already altered routines may resolve our bedtime issues before they snowball.”

The important thing to remember is that you should cope with sleeplessness as soon as you experience problems. Simon cites the advice that Donn Posner, president of Sleepwell Associates and an adjunct clinical associate professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, gives regarding insomnia: “Think of sleep problems as infection. We want to jump on it quickly. Think of it as a risk factor that we want to get on top of lest it spread.”

Fortunately, there is abundant research on the subject, and there are proven, natural  techniques that are quite effective at combating insomnia. For example, “If you can’t sleep do not try to force it,” says Posner. “Good sleepers put no effort into sleep whatsoever.”

For a further discussion on sleeplessness along with a variety of tips to help you get a better night’s rest, read the full article here.