With anxiety at an all-time high due to Coronavirus many are having trouble sleeping. Today, we speak to a doctor from the Miller School of Medicine on things you can do to help you sleep better during the pandemic.
“It’s like how long are we going to be healthy for, how long are we going to be safe, how much longer are we going to have to stay here," said Daniela.
Daniela Paez was furloughed in April due to COVID-19, an added stress and reason she can’t sleep.
“I thought I was fine until it would be days that I would sleep four hours a day. And then just mindlessly on social media, watching TV and I thought 'oh I have all this time now because I don’t have to commute to work', but I didn’t realize how bad it was,” said Daniela.
She says the unknown, something everyone is concerned about, is what’s causing her sleep deprivation.
“This whole situation has increased the level of stress for everyone and it’s been reflected on the how people are sleeping," said Dr. Carlos.
Doctor Carlos Torre practices sleep medicine for the Miller School of Medicine and says navigating through a new normal may prevent you from getting much needed shut eye.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty since we don’t know what’s going to happen when we’re going to resume to our normal life. So on a personal level I know a lot of people that have been affected by this situation and it’s leading to sleeping problems. Certainly I’ve seen more insomnia patients than I normally see,” Dr. Carlos.
So what are things you can do to help get a good night’s rest?
“The best treatment for insomnia is cognitive therapy. We basically give the patients the tools and better understanding of certain behaviors and how you’re reacting to it and how to modify it. Techniques like meditation, they say depression is living in your past and anxiety is living in your future so with meditation you’re trying to live in the moment. And exercising for sure,” said Dr. Carlos.
Dr. Carlos says if you can’t sleep through the night but are tired throughout the day taking a 30 minute nap is okay but try to avoid it. He also recommends taking a small dose of melatonin before going to bed.
To reach Dr. Carlos call 305-243-3773.
