Tips
RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU HAVE EVER SACRIFICED A MUCH-NEEDED NIGHT OF SLEEP DUE TO PAIN?
Pain is difficult to handle regardless of cause or severity and can have a detrimental effect on sleeping habits. An individual with pain may experience discomfort or anxiety which contributes to their inability to sleep. Unfortunately, though it may not seem severe, losing those z’s may impact your body’s ability to deal with the pain. This creates a vicious cycle!
There are three core stages of sleep that your body encounters each night: light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. In order to properly repair your body from the day’s activities you need a certain amount of time in each sleep stage. The average person normally goes through four to six cycles of each stage per night, barring any painful episodes. Because pain is a sensation felt when nerves are stimulated to an intense degree, it actually activates the brain ultimately keeping you awake. If pain continues to wake you up, the body spends too much time in light sleep which shortens REM cycles and increases your sensitivity to pain. See? It’s a vicious cycle.
KEEP YOUR HAND UP IF YOU’RE READY TO MAKE A CHANGE!
If pain is preventing you from sleeping, it’s time to see a doctor. There are a number of treatments available including medication and physical therapy.