Lack of sleep is a definitive symptom of stress

Sometimes lack of sleep is a stand-alone illness. However, lack of sleep can be also a symptom of nervous tension, or stress.

n today’s society, we are constantly pressured to get from one place to another. Or sometimes we are asked to accept more responsibility than we feel physically or mentally capable of handling. Anxiety or the stress of an unpleasant situation at home or work can put us on edge so we experience lack of sleep at night. Even if we are not confronted by these problems, a barking dog or wailing siren may produce just enough noise to keep us from enjoying a sound, energy-restoring sleep. When the next day instead of refreshed, we feel tired, we become prime targets for even more nervous tension. Even bland foods may fail to digest well as our tensions are transmitted to the nerves surrounding the stomach. An uninterrupted flow of nervous energy is essential in fighting these symptoms of nervous tension.

One way to alleviate that nervous tension and cure lack of sleep is through meditation. You don’t need to spend more than 10-15 a day meditating. However it is good do it regularly, every day. Since I’ve started meditating I’ve noticed a big difference in my stress levels, I am less anxious, my stomach is not so nervous anymore, I no longer have ‘butterflies in the stomach’, and I sleep much better.

If you have never tried meditation, it might be a bit daunting at first what to start with. I think a simple breathing meditation technique would be best. This implies noticing your breath while you are inhaling and exhaling. If your mind wanders, just gently bring it back to following your breath again in and out of your body.