Sleepless in Recovery: The Surprising Post-COVID-19 Insomnia Trend…
Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
The aftermath of COVID-19 is proving to be a real snooze fest for many, but not in the way you might think.
While we're all eager to put the pandemic behind us, some are having trouble catching those much-needed Zs.
According to a recent study, over 76% of patients recovering from mild COVID-19 are experiencing insomnia.
Sure, we've heard about the fatigue, the loss of taste and smell… but insomnia?
It turns out it's not just a problem for those hospitalized. Even folks who only had mild COVID symptoms are tossing and turning at night.
Dr. Huong Thi Xuan Hoang, the study's lead researcher, noted, "As a sleep researcher, I received many questions and complaints from relatives, friends, and colleagues about their sleep disturbances after recovering from COVID-19. I found that the majority of papers focused on hospitalized patients. The environment of their treatment and quarantine would differ greatly from those with milder symptoms."
How the Study was Conducted
The study, which looked at 1,056 adults with mild COVID-19, found that insomnia was more prevalent in those with anxiety, stress, or depression.
So, if you're also feeling a bit on edge post-recovery, you're not alone.
More than just an annoyance, insomnia can have serious implications for mental and physical health.
Dr. Hoang suggests some simple remedies like taking a warm shower before bed, shutting down your phone at least an hour before bedtime, and getting in some daily exercise…
If those don't do the trick, she recommends over-the-counter sleep aids or seeing a sleep therapist. After all, a good night's sleep is nothing to snooze at!
Now, you might be wondering why COVID-19 is causing such a ruckus in the sleep department. Well, it seems that the severity of the infection itself isn't directly linked to the severity of insomnia. Instead, it's rather pre-existing conditions and mental health struggles that are more likely to keep you counting sheep.
So, what can you do if you find yourself staring at the ceiling instead of catching those much-needed Z's?
Dr. Hoang has some very specific tips: take a warm shower before bedtime, shut down your phone at least an hour before going to bed, get in 30 minutes of exercise per day, and avoid caffeine after 4 pm. If insomnia is still giving you grief, you might consider trying some over-the-counter sleep aids or even consulting a sleep therapist.
The bottom line is, if you're struggling with sleep after contracting a mild case of COVID-19, you're not alone.
Insomnia can be a real bugger, but with the right strategies, you can kick it to the curb and get back to some solid REM sleep.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Hoang Huong Thi Xuan , Yeung Wing Fai , Truong Quyen Thi Mai , Le Cuc Thi , Bui Anh Thi My , Bui Quang Vinh , Le Quyen Thi Le , Quach Linh Ha
Sleep quality among non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: a national cross-sectional study Frontiers in Public Healtn VOLUME 11 2024
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1281012 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1281012 ISSN=2296-2565
