Insomnia and Exhaustion: The Connection and What Can Be Done About It

Burnout can be defined as a state of physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from ongoing stress or exposure to difficult situations. It is usually caused by continuous demands in a person's life that exceed the person's ability to meet them over a longer period. People who have burnout may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated, and helpless. In addition, they may also have difficulty concentrating and focusing or be unable to make simple decisions or engage in meaningful activities.

Burnout and sleeplessness are closely connected. This is because insufficient sleep contributes to the development of burnout symptoms. When people do not get enough sleep or suffer from poor sleep quality, their body is unable to properly recharge each night. This leads to a buildup of fatigue, causing people to become irritable and unmotivated during the day. Additionally, they are more vulnerable to illness or injury.

Moreover, when people do not get enough sleep, they are more likely to become anxious or depressed due to changes in their brain caused by lack of sleep. These mental health problems can further contribute to feelings of exhaustion and helplessness associated with burnout. Read more about sleeplessness and depression in our blog.

Sleep is incredibly important for burnout symptoms. This is because it helps restore the body's energy level. As a result, people can better manage stress factors in daily life and cope better with anxiety or depression that accompany burnout.

Furthermore, sufficient sleep increases productivity during the day, reducing feelings of frustration caused by not being able to complete tasks quickly enough. Finally, enough restful sleep helps improve cognitive functioning, making decision-making easier and allowing people to concentrate on their tasks throughout the day.

If you struggle with both burnout symptoms and sleeplessness, there are several steps you can take to counter these problems.

1. Set a consistent bedtime routine for yourself

Doing the same thing every evening will help your body recognize when it is time to rest. So make a routine for yourself. For example, always read a book for half an hour, make sure you go to bed at the same time every day, and encourage yourself to sleep for the same length of time.

2. Ensure a good environment for sleeping

By making sure your bedroom is conducive to sleep, you will sleep better. For example, lower the noise level and avoid using bright lights.

3. Limit caffeine intake

Make sure you drink fewer caffeine-containing drinks during the day, especially just before bedtime. This substance keeps your body awake, and that is exactly what you do not want.

4. Avoid screens

Turn off your mobile phone, laptop, and TV at least an hour before going to bed. The blue light from electronics suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep.

5. Relax under a weighted blanket

A weighted blanket can provide a solution when you experience sleeplessness due to burnout. The pressure you feel from the weight of the weighted blanket on your body is comparable to a firm hug, which relaxes your nervous system. Your body essentially surrenders to the comfort and warmth you experience. This immediately lowers your stress level.

This pressure is called Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) and is exactly the reason why the Novaline weighted blankets work against sleep problems caused by burnout. Due to the continuous, pleasant pressure you feel on your body, your body switches off stress. This makes it easier to relax, fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake up refreshed.

Understanding the connection between burnout and sleeplessness is essential to combat both conditions simultaneously. By establishing a consistent routine that reduces stimulation before going to bed and performing relaxing activities, one works on restoring healthy sleep patterns, thereby reducing the negative symptoms of burnout.