What are the links between stress and sleep disorders?

Stress is considered a natural reaction of the body, called physiological, allowing to escape or to face a particular situation. It concerns all social groups and all age groups, most generally over a short period. A situation of chronic stress, on the other hand, is pathological.

Symptoms related to a state of stress are muscle contractions, digestive or cardiovascular problems, skin rashes, sleep disorders (which can lead to insomnia), migraines, dizziness, nausea, significant fatigue or even loss of appetite.

Stress is not an illness in itself, but in the long term it can cause weight gain, diabetes, heart or kidney problems, depression, burnout, as well as a drop in immune defenses that make the body more susceptible to infections.

Links between stress and sleep disorders

 There is a close link between these two aspects, in fact, stress can be the cause of sleep disorders, and, conversely, lack of sleep can constitute a stress factor.

Sleep is essential for the proper functioning of the body, which maintains and regulates vital functions. The duration and quality of sleep are important for improving the general state of physical and mental health. To better understand sleep, it is important to learn about its different phases .

Sleep disorders are often associated with insomnia, which translates as a lack of sleep (non-restorative). It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, several awakenings during the night or waking up too early the next day.

In addition to impacting mental and physical activities during the day, insomnia causes drowsiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating and remembering.

Other than stress, the causes of sleep disorders can be respiratory diseases, pain linked to certain diseases (osteoarthritis, cancer, polyarthritis, etc.), allergies, consumption of stimulants (caffeine, tobacco, energy drinks) or alcohol, eating too much before going to bed, depression or sleep apnea .

The consequences of a lack of sleep are not without risk, it can lead to serious health problems, a risk of heart disease and cardiovascular arrest, diabetes, obesity or even depression.

Treating yourself naturally

The World Health Organization recognizes herbal medicine as a conventional medicine. It consists of using medicinal plants to improve one's health capital. It is an alternative to chemical drugs (antidepressants, anxiolytics, psychotropic drugs, etc.) which can lead to long-term harmful risks to health.

Rhodiola, hawthorn, passionflower and St. John's wort are recognized anti-stress plants (link to the article What are the best anti-stress plants?).

In addition, there are organic and natural food supplements (in the form of capsules, tablets, ampoules, gummies, etc.) based on adaptogenic plants, which help to soothe anxiety on a daily basis and thus promote better sleep.

This is the case of Délicure, which offers 100% French vegan food supplements in the form of gummies. They are based on plants rich in soothing active ingredients to relieve anxiety and promote quality sleep:

• The " Stress " range helps fight stress and relax the body thanks to plants (rhodiola, saffron, holy basil) and the amino acid GABA. Simply chew two gummies at any time of the day when you are stressed.
• The " Sleep " range is rich in relaxing plants (passion flower, lime blossom, poppy petal), vitamins (B5, B6) and melatonin (sleep hormone). Taking two gummies before bedtime makes it easier to fall asleep, relax, and therefore allows you to have a good night's sleep.
• CBD , derived from the hemp plant, also seems to be ideal because it promotes relaxation. This natural molecule is now commonly consumed by people seeking natural well-being. Délicure offers a wide range of organic CBD oils adapted to different objectives (sleep, stress, pain, female ailments) as well as a range ofCBD gummies .

These supplements are easier to ingest than capsules or tablets, and do not cause addiction or side effects.

Other tips for stress-related sleep problems

Apart from plants, essential oils of fine lavender, Roman chamomile and sweet marjoram also help to soothe anxiety disorders and fight insomnia. Their virtues are recognized in the field of health, their therapeutic indications (digestive, circulatory, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, etc.) allow to treat the small ailments of life and daily life. When symptoms of stress appear, it is advisable to breathe one for several minutes.

To avoid any risk of insomnia, it is not recommended to do any sporting activity before bedtime, to have too large an evening meal, to consume any stimulants (caffeine, tobacco, alcohol) and to be too exposed to screens.

It is necessary to favor a relaxation activity such as meditation and yoga, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals and establish a bedtime ritual (respect regular bedtimes and waking times).

Finally, to make it easier to fall asleep , it is strongly recommended to sleep in a quiet, dark room that is not too hot.

In case of chronic stress or severe insomnia, the best solution is to consult your doctor who will be able to assess the situation and provide appropriate treatment.