How Does Sleep Affect Stress?

How Does Sleep Affect Stress?

The relationship between sleep and stress is somewhat of a chicken or egg situation. Does lack of sleep cause stress or does stress cause lack of sleep? The answer is a resounding yes to both questions.

According to the Harvard Division of Sleep Medicine, “Poor or inadequate sleep can cause irritability and stress, while healthy sleep can enhance well-being.”

Can Not Getting Enough Sleep Cause Anxiety?

Sleep and mood are extensively interconnected. A 2019 study looking at self-reported sleep quality and self-reported mood found that sleep quality plays a significant role in next-day mood and that improving sleep quality leads to improved mood and less anxiety.1

A 2023 analysis of data from more than 50 years of experimental research confirms that periods of extended wakefulness, shortened sleep duration, and nighttime awakenings result in less joy, happiness, and contentment and more anxiety.2

Can Stress Cause Insomnia?

As expected, the flipside is also true. Stress can lead to poor sleep quality and quantity. A 2023 study featuring healthcare students found that high stress was associated with poor sleep quality.3 Feeling stressed can cause you to take longer to fall asleep and fragment sleep causing you to wake up several times during the night.4

Magnesium Glycinate for Rest

Fortunately, magnesium is an important mineral that can help support relaxation, which may, in turn, help support sleep. A 2017 review of 18 studies found that magnesium supplementation is associated with subjective feelings of relaxation.5

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement designed to help support relaxation, plus healthy bones, teeth and muscles.*

You may not be able to control the amount of stress you are under, but you can help support your body during times of stress. And magnesium glycinate may be able to help get your relaxation on.*

Follow @zhou_nutrition for more fitness and wellness tips!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


References

  1. Triantafillou S, Saeb S, Lattie EG, et al. Relationship between sleep quality and mood: ecological momentary assessment study. JMIR Ment Health. 2019;6(3). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6456824/
  2. Palmer CA, Bower JL, Cho KW, et al. Sleep loss and emotion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of over 50 years of experimental research. American Psychological Association. 2023. https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/bul-bul0000410.pdf
  3. Alwhaibi M, Aloola N. Associations between stress, anxiety, depression and sleep quality among healthcare students. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023;12(13). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10342613/
  4. Dusang, K. How stress can affect your sleep. Baylor College of Medicine. 2019;May 9. https://www.bcm.edu/news/how-stress-can-affect-your-sleep
  5. Boyle NB, Lawton C, Dye L. The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress—a systematic review. Nutrients. 2017;9(5). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452159/

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