In times of pandemic, one of the most important factors for our health, sleep, has been compromised due to the worries and anxieties that everyone is facing. The uncertainties of when it will all end, when a vaccine or a treatment will emerge, and the risk of contracting the Coronavirus leave everyone anxious and sleep has been affected. “People are either more alone or living with more people for a long time; an entire routine has been modified, and sleeping can become exhausting,” explains pulmonologist and President of the Brazilian Sleep Association – Regional ES, Jéssica Polese. “In addition to affecting physical health, sleep also affects mental health, as good sleep is completely linked to the psychological issues experienced by human beings,” points out Jéssica.
Many people who are now entering the second month of quarantine have experienced peaks of good days and bad days. “I’m not a psychologist, but it’s easy to see from colleagues in the profession and from ourselves, from people close to us, that one day we are fine and the next we wake up with low self-esteem or more worried about uncertainties. But in this moment that is so new for all of us, we need to seek help in this regard, whether from a friend or a professional in the field,” suggests the Sleep doctor.
Regarding sleep and a good night’s rest, the doctor suggests trying to follow some tips to have a better night, in order to preserve our health. “We need to reset our biological clock that has been affected by the loss of the daily rhythm we had, such as going out to work, being exposed to natural light, and engaging in our social and physical activities,” she describes. “Therefore, we have to try to maintain some activities, like exercising, for example, even if it has to be done indoors; those who have a private outdoor area – even better – should open the windows and let sunlight in and get some sun. Additionally, try to avoid spending too much time on the computer at night, on your phone in conversations, and on social media, so that it doesn’t interfere with your normal sleep schedule,” emphasizes Jéssica. Try to relax during the night, seek calm activities like reading a book or having a tea, and disconnect a bit from news related to the disease; this also helps. We know it’s difficult, but we have to try, for our health!
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