THE ESSENTIAL
- In seeking to have the perfect sleep, some people trigger insomnia.
- More than 80% of Americans would be affected, particularly those under 40.
- To limit sleep-related stress, a quiet, dark bedroom and time for meditation or breathing before bed can help.
Sleepmaxiing or the obsession with perfect sleep. The Americans invented this term to define those who seek to have a perfect night, to the point of obsession. Connected watches, tracking applications, advice on social networks, products to sleep better: there are a multitude of tools today to monitor and improve your sleep. But this can be counterproductive. According to a study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), 81% of Americans report sleeping poorly because of concerns about possible sleep problems.
A survey on the link between insomnia and concerns about sleep
The AASM used an online survey to obtain this information: 2,000 people responded. Only 16% of those surveyed say they have never slept poorly because of their worry about sleep disorders. The rest of the respondents said they rarely, sometimes, often or always have these problems. “Men (43%) and women (42%) are almost as likely to report often or always losing sleep due to concerns about these disorders.”observe the authors. On the other hand, when the results are classified according to age, differences appear. The 18-24 year olds are the most likely to respond that they are subject to these concerns often, if not always. “Gen Z (73%) and Millennials (72%) are most likely to report often or always losing sleep due to concerns about sleep disorders.they notice. Generation Z brings together 18-27 year olds and Millennials, 28-43 year olds.
Sleep: excessive optimization of nights is harmful
“These worries about not getting enough quality sleep can create a vicious cycle of stress and insomnia for some people.”says Dr. Anita Shelgikar, sleep specialist and president of the AASM. Prioritizing sleep is great for overall health and well-being. For some, however, excessive focus on optimizing sleep can actually lead to a decrease in sleep quality and quantity.“All efforts to improve rest and sleep quality can trigger a form of sleep-related anxiety,” she says.Maximizing sleep can sometimes turn what should be a restorative process into a high-pressure taskshe adds. Leading to increased stress and potential worsening sleep over time.”
Sleep disorders: how to sleep well?
This specialist gives some tips for sleeping better. First of all, it is important to prepare your room to make it a relaxing place. “Keep it dark, quiet and cool, and invest in comfortable bedding.”she suggests. Meditation or deep breathing can be helpful in regaining calm before going to sleep. “If you use sleep technologies, think of them as guides and tools, not rigid markers.”she warns. If the problems persist, a health professional can help you get back to quality nights. “Sleep doesn’t have to be perfect every night, However, warns Dr. Shelgikar. The goal is to get the amount of sleep you need to wake up feeling refreshed on a regular basis..”
