A Traumatic Experience Left Me Battling Anxiety-Induced Insomnia for Years. Floating Finally Helped Me Dream Again

By Tene Goodwin, Oct 20, 2024

Turns out, there’s a close relationship between anxiety and insomnia. A 2022 clinical review1 estimates that half of people with anxiety also struggle with sleep disturbances, and in turn, conditions like insomnia can make anxiety worse (talk about a vicious cycle). What’s more, says Alex Dimitriu, MD, a dual-board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist, the type of polyphasic sleep I was subsisting on (that is, short bouts of sleep throughout the day instead of one long period of sleep each night) can result in symptoms of sleep deprivation, including worsened memory and impulse control as well as heightened anxiety. Additionally, he notes that rapid eye movement or REM sleep—which is crucial for overall health and well-being—would not occur in shorter sleep windows or naps.

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