Do you have trouble sleeping when a storm blows through, or do you sleep like a baby when the rain is pattering on the roof, thunder is booming and lightning is sizzling up the night sky? While there have not been that many studies conducted to bridge a connection between weather and sleep, there are studies that offer evidence that weather can worsen sleep-disordered breathing. Typically, when the pressure drops, so does your ability to sink into smooth, restful sleep because your breathing is likely being affected.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which an individual briefly stops breathing multiple times during the night. This happens when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airways open. The issues associated with this disorder are:
* Low blood oxygen levels
* An increased risk for heart disease, mood, memory issues, and hypertension
* Poor, fragmented sleep.
Other reasons can certainly keep individuals awake during a thunderstorm, and it’s worth exploring ways to help you get restful sleep as monsoon season is in full swing in Arizona. Here are some hints to sleep during storms.
1. Sleep in the company of a person or pet to alleviate the anxiety of sleeping alone during a storm.
2. Pull the shades and muffle outside sounds – use earplugs if necessary.
3. Light a scented candle – using extreme caution or consider using a plug in type fragrance dispenser to calm your senses
4. Read a boring book to take your mind off the storm and help you nod off.
5. Practice deep breathing.
6. Prepare your mind for a storm by checking the weather before bedtime
Whether it’s the weather that impacts your sleep patterns, we all know the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. For more information on how we can help, contact Lauri Leadley at 480-830-3900 or visit https://valleysleepcenter.com
