Are you getting enough “good” sleep?
You may be spending nearly 4 months of your nights tossing and a turning every year.
According to a survey of 2,000 American adults, conducted by OnePoll, the average American loses 113 nights to “bad” sleep or staying awake all night.
“Perfect” sleep is achieved about 132 times per year. The remaining 120 nights are considered just “good.”
The Impact of Stress on Sleep
The survey suggests that sleep struggles often start with stress or anxiety before bedtime.
This stress, on average, happens three times a week and keeps one awake for three hours before their intended bedtime. The three-hour mark is also when they believe their next day will start off poorly. In fact, 65% of respondents agree that a bad night’s sleep can ruin the following day.
Instead of sleeping, respondents engaged in various activities, such as looking their phone (59%), eating snacks (49%), or staring at the ceiling (39%). The top stressors include concerns about physical health (58%), upcoming tasks (56%), and mental health (51%).
The survey also highlighted the impact of stress on daily life. On average, Americans experience four panic attacks per year and have missed work (43%), meals with family and friends (41%), weddings (40%), and birthday parties (39%) due to stress. Furthermore, they missed an average of nine different events in 2023 alone because of stress and anxiety.
Overall, these findings underline the significant impact of stress and anxiety on sleep and daily life, emphasizing the importance of finding natural and healthy ways to manage stress and improve overall well-being.
A Healthy Approach to Restful (Stress-free) Sleep
Functional Medicine can help you reduce stress and improve sleep – giving your body the rest it needs to repair, regenerate, and recharge.
Here are some of the advantages of using Functional Medicine guidance to support healthy sleep and stress reduction:
Find the root cause by identifying triggers of stress and sleep disturbances:
Rather than just treating symptoms, Functional Medicine addresses the underlying health issues contributing to sleep problems. By identifying and treating imbalances, such as hormonal issues, nutrient deficiencies, gut health problems, and chronic inflammation, Functional Medicine aims to improve sleep quality as naturally as possible.
Unlock your natural sleep patterns and reduce reliance on sleep aids:
Sleep aids can be associated with various side effects, like daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and cognitive impairment. Working with an integrative, Functional Medicine provider can help you regulate your natural sleep-wake-cycle and find more natural alternatives to support your sleep.
Resolve Hormonal Imbalance:
Fluctuations and imbalances of hormones can impact sleep, as well as our ability to manage stress. When looking at sleep health, Functional Medicine practitioners often measure cortisol (the stress hormone) and melatonin levels throughout the day to assess their natural rise and fall, as imbalances in these hormones can disrupt sleep patterns.
Optimize Gut Health:
Functional Medicine recognizes the fundamental impact of gut health and works to address gut imbalances, such as dysbiosis or leaky gut, through dietary modifications, probiotics, and other interventions to alleviate stress-related symptoms.
The gut contains millions of nerve cells that communicate with the brain, influencing various bodily functions, including sleep and mood. Imbalance within the gut microbiome can have a profound impact on various functions – including the regulation of serotonin, inflammation, stress, and nutrient metabolism.
Regulate Serotonin:
The majority of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation and sleep, is produced in the gut. Healthy gut bacteria help produce serotonin, which is then converted into melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. An imbalance in gut bacteria can affect serotonin production, potentially impacting sleep quality.
Reduce Inflammation:
An unhealthy gut can contribute to inflammation in the body. Inflammation has been linked to sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome. Chronic inflammation can disrupt normal sleep patterns and make it difficult to achieve restful sleep.
Overcome Chronic Stress:
Chronic stress can negatively impact gut health by altering the balance of gut bacteria and increasing inflammation. This, in turn, can affect sleep quality and contribute to insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
Nutritional Support:
Functional Medicine emphasizes the impact of nutrition on stress management and sleep patterns. A Functional Medicine provider can determine the appropriate tests, based on individual needs, to identify potential nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.
Practitioners may recommend dietary changes and supplements that support the body’s stress response and promote overall well-being. For example, certain nutrients, such as B vitamins, magnesium, and adaptogenic herbs, can help regulate stress hormones, promote relaxation and assist in the natural production of melatonin.
Ready to transform your sleep and reduce stress?
It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment if you are experiencing persistent sleep disturbances.
We can help you identify any underlying health issues and provide guidance on managing and improving sleep quality.
Aligned Modern Health works with insurance and offers Functional Medicine care in several states. To connect with a care coordinator for an appointment or free consultation, please complete the form below.
Schedule
Please fill out the form to request an appointment at our health and wellness center for the service and location of your preference. We try to get back to all requests as quickly as possible. If you need immediate assistance, please call 773-598-4387.
Your safety comes first: we are operating with heightened safety measures in our clinics and offer telemedicine for those unable to visit in person.
