Tips for Surviving “Covid-somnia”

We are now officially two years into the Covid-19 pandemic that has changed so much about our lives in many ways. Maybe you or someone you know battled the Covid-19 virus, maybe your job has been affected, maybe you have had to change your travel plans and maybe you have not been able to see friends or family through all this.

One of the biggest changes that many people have experienced in the past two years is with their sleep, and “Covid-somnia” has become extremely common in the past few years. While things are slowly starting to look up with the decline in cases, if you are suffering from insomnia more often because of the pandemic, there are ways that you can turn your sleep around.

Here are four tips to do so:

1. Be mindful of media consumption: All of the events happening in the world can certainly be distressing. As a result, watching, reading or listening to the news too much can induce anxiety and can interfere with your sleep as a result. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to stay up to date with all that is happening in the world, try to set limits on media consumption and try to avoid it too close to bedtime.
2. Find a relaxing activity to do: This can help you to unwind before bedtime and sleep better at night. This includes reading, meditation or taking a warm bath or shower. Starting this at least 30 minutes before bedtime can be very beneficial in getting a good night’s sleep.
3. Be careful with medications that promote sleep: While taking melatonin, or another over the counter medication can be a temporary solution to insomnia, experts recommend that you do not make this a regular thing. If your insomnia becomes chronic, then it is time to speak to a doctor for additional help.
4. Stick to a routine: Our internal clocks thrive on a consistent routine, especially when it comes to bedtime, as it is helpful to have some normalcy in these uncertain times. Make sure you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night and that you go to bed and wake up around the same time each day.