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Why am I anxious at night before bed?

129 Answers
Last Updated: 02/08/2022 at 8:10pm
Why am I anxious at night before bed?
★ This question about Anxiety was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
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Top Rated Answers
positiveWhisper24
March 17th, 2015 2:26pm
Some types of anxiety come out the worst just as your mind is relaxing. So when you are right about to go to bed, your mind is settling down and preparing for sleep, so it opens up a space and the anxiety just jumps in. A psychiatrist once told me, "Nighttime anxiety makes the most sense. Don't you think you're anxious because life is just so hard?" Life is hard for us who suffer from anxiety. It takes more out of us just to get through the day.
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2016 8:54am
I think about the things i did wrong, what i could've done better. My mind doesn't shut off at night and it makes me rather anxious.
Erynn
December 14th, 2014 10:30pm
Lots of potential reasons. Journaling might help you figure it out. Does anything scare you about night, about time alone, about the place you sleep, about the vulnerability of not being awake, about lack of visibility/darkness...?
optimisticPond54
May 9th, 2015 7:51pm
Maybe its because you are frightened about not falling asleep? Try thinking positively before trying to sleep. A hot shower or a cup of warm milk will also cal you down.
HopeAlways16
January 13th, 2016 10:50am
Many people experience anxious feelings before going to bed. I'm also one of them. I believe it's because I dealt with hard feelings during the day and usually I can't stop my thoughts at night and I start thinking about everything that was and could be so every night I feel anxious because I'm afraid that I won't be able to control my thoughts. Maybe that's the case with you too.
KKGunner
December 1st, 2014 9:23am
Something could be triggering in your surroundings. Or it could be a conditioned response. Or a biological thing.
wordsmith
November 28th, 2014 11:19pm
Sometimes, I get really anxious before going to sleep as I worry about all the things that await the next day. I get overwhelmed by the number of tasks and meetings and I sometimes can't fall asleep. I found it that writing down what I'll d the next day, and looking at my schedule for the next week really helps
Jelli
January 3rd, 2015 12:43am
Being anxious at night before bed can be caused for a variety of reasons, but I think one of the most common reasons for being anxious before bed would be that during the busy day, it is harder to stop and process what has gone on around us, our emotions, and the events of the day. As we wind down towards the end of the day, the mind is able to reflect more, possible causing more anxiousness. For me, I can also be more anxious before bed because it is easier to feel more alone during this time. This can be the perfect time to do something relaxing to calm down, such as reading a good book, taking a bubble bath, or coming on 7 cups to talk to someone.
DouglasListens
November 26th, 2014 4:39am
The quiet time as we're falling asleep is often the only time we get to ourselves to think, so it's natural that the thoughts and fears we've been suppressing all day will come to the forefront. This problem seems to be particularly acute if there's something that feels 'unfinished' about preparing for tomorrow. I think it's helpful to recognize that there's very little to be done at that time, the only thing you're responsible for now is relaxing. I also find meditation helps, but that probably varies from person to person.
Anonymous
January 25th, 2016 6:28am
This is a time where you're alone with your thoughts - there is no one there to talk to, and nothing to distract you. Your brain isn't over stimulated, so it is able to go into deep though. You tend to over think or exaggerate things in your mind. So when all is quiet and everyone else has gone to sleep, those thoughts you've buried all day come out to play.
DreamsandHope
July 27th, 2015 8:45am
This might be because of future tension. Its one of the common thing i feel. Like i have to pay money to someone etc. What could he/she says tomorrow. What tomorrow bring.
Anonymous
December 29th, 2014 3:00pm
Sometimes all of your thoughts can manifest when you are winding down with nothing else to think about.
Anonymous
January 15th, 2016 6:37pm
Fearful of day ahead scared of what could happen next scared of nightmares and knowing im helpless when sleeping
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2016 7:35pm
In my experience, if that does happen to me, it's because I fear dealing with my own negative thoughts while in the process of falling asleep, which has always been the cause for my insomnia. The getting to sleep part makes me anxious.
RalphBG
December 7th, 2014 9:54am
There could be many reasons to why you are anxious. A solution to no matter what you are anxious about before you go to bed is focusing on the positive things. Don't say anything negative. Maybe say something like 'I'm calm' and repeat that to yourself. Don't say something like 'I'm not anxious', as 'not' is a negative word. Focus on the positive. :)
Ingrid9
November 26th, 2014 11:18pm
It could mean a lot of things; but based on my personal experience, if I am anxious before bed, I'm thinking about things I might be worried about for the next day.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2015 6:49pm
I joined this website just now, so that I could put in my two sense. I have this same problem, and I find that I hate everyone telling me that it's all in my head, and that I just need to stop worrying so much. The intense worrying when you're trying to fall asleep is not the cause it's a symptom. You may have your own reasons why this is happening to you, but it's not just in your head. It's adrenaline, it's a hormone. Adrenaline is what causes that fight or flight feeling in your body that tells you something is wrong and you need to be alert to protect yourself. It's not something that we can consciously control by just telling ourselves "there's no sense in worrying..." I'm sure It can be controlled some how by things you eat or by exercise maybe? but I intend to seek out professional help.
ConfidentialListener
November 26th, 2014 3:21am
Hello, experiencing a higher level of anxiety before bed is something people often experience. In my previous experience this is because I have kept myself busy and occupied throughout the day and avoided the issues at hand. When I am ready for bed my brain has the luxury of worrying over the things I have managed to avoid all day. Not to mention my worries have accumulated over the course of the day. Being alone in a dark room doing nothing but laying there allows no distractions and causes your mind to wonder out of control. Ways to manage this varies between individuals, however I have found that taking a shower right before bed is the best way to manage my anxiety. I hope this has been of some help. You can always chat in to discuss issues that are causing you anxiety and/or read through our help online - the link is below. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to provide feedback and best wishes to you and your sleep. Atticus https://www.7cups.com/anxiety-help/
ChellaBell
February 4th, 2016 10:40pm
It's common to feel more anxious at bedtime. There are less things to distract you when the house is quiet. It gives you a chance to reflect on the day and think about tomorrow's goals. This can bring up positive or often times negative feelings. Try progressive muscle relaxation before sleeping.
Lalaxoxo
January 1st, 2016 5:38pm
Sometimes, without us knowing, our brains will bring up old memories or the fears we experience. Also, we think about certain things that bother us, that brings the anxiety on.
PashT007
April 2nd, 2015 6:35pm
Depending on how long this has been happening, it may be caused by events that have happened during the day or right before bed.
Anonymous
October 26th, 2015 7:36pm
Homework for college or work that I have to get up early for the next day! I could be anxious because my boyfriend may be mad at me and won't talk to me.
miraculousPink30
January 9th, 2016 7:54am
because you have a lot of problems in you life and you worry for them a lot. since you think about them before going to sleep you are being anxious.
LittleWhirlwind
December 11th, 2015 11:13am
At night, alone in the darkness and safe under the covers of your bed, your brain can start firing off all sorts of thoughts about life, love, or the day's events. Things that were on your mind, things you've seen or encountered, whatever makes an impact on you: at night you (unwillingly) reflect on them as your brain starts to go into sleep mode. Sometimes these thoughts can be triggering, depending on your state of mind when you go to bed. Try creating a calming night time routine, like taking a warm shower or burning a scented candle with lavender oil; make sure you avoid anything that could trigger your anxiety, like reading messages/news on your phone or watching an episode of a violent TV show. You can try doing 10 minutes of yoga exercises or meditation right before you get under the covers. It might also help to keep a notepad or notebook next to you, so you can scribble down your thoughts when they start to overwhelm you. Listen to some music without any lyrics, like the soundtrack of your favorite movie or some nature sounds; there are some great videos on YouTube. Try a combination of things to find a routine that works for you, and stick to it for at least a week. It should be getting easier and easier to relax before bedtime. If all else fails, come to 7 Cups of Tea and have a chat with a Listener! We are here for you.
HawaiianAir
June 22nd, 2015 10:06pm
It's normal to be anxious at night before bed if you have anxiety. Most people run through the day's events in the heads before going to rest, and often people worry about the future and things they have to do tomorrow before trailing off to sleep!
thisismejessica
December 22nd, 2014 5:54am
There are so many reasons, probably: caffeine intake, nervous about what will happen tomorrow (e.g. exam, meetings, etc.).
Anonymous
May 1st, 2015 8:59pm
Sometimes when I feel anxious before bed, it's because I feel like I forgot to do something or like I didn't accomplish enough in the day. A good way to keep the anxiety down and let your mind get ready to rest is to do some yoga or read before you go to sleep.
courageousPond53
November 17th, 2015 8:48pm
Take notes can help you figure it out. what are you scared of? Dark, being alone, darkness, and etc.
Hazellovesyou
December 10th, 2015 5:10pm
Being alone in a dark room doing nothing but lying there with your worries allows you no distractions from them, which often allow them to seem to grow bigger and bigger and spiral out of control. It's normal to feel especially overwhelmed during this time because there is nothing to distract you from your own anxiety.
Anonymous
January 28th, 2016 6:24pm
There are many possible reasons. Maybe you are nervous for something the next day? Or you don't want to do something the next day these are simple possible reasons why.