The coronavirus pandemic, which causes people to protect themselves at home and go out in a controlled manner, has negative effects on sleep as in every aspect of life. Coronavirus leads to disruption of sleep patterns due to stress, anxiety and the comfort of being at home. Experts point out that a healthy person should sleep regularly for an average of 7 - 8 hours at night during this process and give important advice.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Brain Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Barış Metin stated that anxiety and stress caused by coronavirus can lead to insomnia and individuals should be careful against this problem.
Home comfort also disrupts sleep patterns
Pointing out that especially those who stay at home during this period may experience sleep problems, Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said, "People may experience sleep problems during this period, both due to the stress and anxiety experienced and the comfort of being at home. When the news of the spread of coronavirus, the number of patients and deaths, the fear of losing their job and income are combined, there is a state of anxiety that prevents sleep. Another cause of insomnia is the disruption of the day-night rhythm. Lack of regular commuting and arrival times can cause serious shifts in sleeping and waking hours. When anxiety and rhythm shift are combined, the vicious cycle of sleepless nights, sleeping late during the day and not sleeping at night becomes continuous."
Insomnia decreases daily performance
Pointing out that many people have to work from home, Metin said: "Those who do not work from home also have to take care of their children at home and follow their education. Lack of sleep patterns can cause significant disruptions in the flow of our daily routines. Those who have to work from home may experience decreased productivity, children's study hours may be disrupted and behavioral problems may occur in children. In addition, sleeping during the day and staying awake at night causes negative effects on mood and psychological health."
It is healthier not to break the routine in times of crisis
Metin stated that the duration of a healthy sleep varies from person to person and said the following: "The average healthy sleep time is 7 - 8 hours. In times of crisis, it is healthier for people to protect themselves from anxiety and to sleep and wake up at routine hours. Especially social media posts that delay the start of sleep and increase anxiety should not be followed late at night. Since there is no obligation to go to work in the morning, sleeping late can cause a rhythm shift. For this reason, I recommend waking up in the morning to maintain the rhythm."
Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Barış Metin made the following recommendations to ensure sleep health:
- Sleep and wake up at the same time
- Do not watch television or use the telephone in bed,
- Short naps, called daytime naps, should be avoided; spending time in bed during the day without sleeping also causes insomnia at night,
- Avoid heavy meals late at night,
- Daily schedules should be made and work, housework and play times should be set,
- Do not give in to boredom and panic, have conversations with the family, tell them that an epidemic is being fought and that the epidemic will pass if the rules are followed,
- Especially since children may have difficulty in adjusting the severity of their reaction, sharing with family members that increase the anxiety content should be avoided,
- If there are elderly people at home, they should not be hurtful, and false statements should not be made that the pandemic only affects the elderly, because young people can also be seriously affected by the pandemic and have to be treated in hospital.