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Stress often has an impact on the quality and timing of sleep for a person. Generally, people claim it is more difficult to rest when they are under stress, so that also results in reduced sleep. But in some other people, stress actually triggers fatigue, which makes them feel like sleeping all day long.
How can stress trigger fatigue?
Reporting from the Huffington Post, Deirdre Conroy, a clinical director at the University of Michigan sleep disorders center, said stress will affect the quality and continuity of a person's sleep.
The effect, there are some people who spend more time sleeping, but there are also those who often wake up or wake up many times in the middle of sleep.
Usually stress is associated with insomnia symptoms. The reason is, when a person is exposed to stress, his body will encourage more cognitive stimulation to the brain.
These stimuli make it more difficult for a person to calm down and think about things that ultimately make it difficult for them to close their eyes. The cause of stress will trigger fatigue.
Stress also leads to increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system which is often referred to as fight or flight response. Fight or flight response is a body mechanism that occurs when a person is facing stress or a dangerous situation.
At that time, the glands in the body will produce the hormone epinephrine or better known as adrenaline.
The hormone adrenaline that flows throughout the body will have an effect such as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure which makes a person more aware of the environment around him.
However, it is not uncommon for the stress response to trigger fatigue and drowsiness afterward. The process of occurrence fight or flight response in the body itself is very draining of energy.
At times the hormone adrenaline is produced from fight or flight response begins to decline, the body will release various other hormones such as cortisol which is the body's main stress hormone. High cortisol levels will encourage the body to replenish the energy lost during stress.
In this way, the body sends a signal in the form of sleepiness so that it can make a person fall asleep to restore the energy that has been used.
In addition, many see sleep as a quick way to get rid of stress. At least, sleep will provide a little sense of calm.
Eliminate sleepiness when under stress
Indeed, sleep to release fatigue and stress is not a bad solution. However, if these actions start to become a habit and interfere with daily activities, you should do something to reduce the frequency.
Sometimes, feeling sleepy due to stress that you feel can come from how high the glucose level in the blood is.
Many people often take their stress out by eating sweet and high carbohydrate foods. This is normal considering that during times of stress the body also requires energy in the form of glucose.
Unfortunately, consuming too much sugar will reduce orexin cell activity as a regulator of arousal and awareness. As a result, you will feel sleepy afterward.
Therefore, one of the things you can do is start reducing the consumption of foods that contain high sugar and carbohydrates whenever you feel stressed. Also replace soft drinks with drinking enough water.
Alternate with exercise for body fitness on the sidelines of your activity schedule. Moving more actively is believed to be a fairly effective way to reduce drowsiness.
You don't have to do strenuous exercise, easy activities like walking can also be an option.
Another way is to deal with the factors that are causing you stress. Ask yourself again about the things that make you feel overwhelmed, if necessary you can write them down one by one in a note.
Although it is not always easy, sorting your thoughts at least will help you to better know the root of the problem and its solution and prevent you from stress that can trigger fatigue.
