Woke (/ˈwoʊk/ WOHK) is a term that originated in the United States, referring to a perceived awareness of issues that concern social justice and racial justice. It derives from the African-American Vernacular English expression “stay woke”, whose grammatical aspect refers to a continuing awareness of these issues.
Researchers studying health disparities point to higher rates of sleeping problems for people of color. A common theme among many of these factors is higher levels of both physical and emotional stress. Few time periods have called so much attention to the issue of racial inequality in the United States as the spring of 2020.
The horrific killing of George Floyd caused millions of people to confront the dramatic differences between the living experiences of white people and people of color in America. The heightened awareness of police brutality has arisen at the same time as the coronavirus pandemic which has had a disproportionate impact on minorities in America.
This sad reality is a sobering reminder of how the burdens of health problems are not equally distributed across society. People in disadvantaged groups of a certain race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and/or socioeconomic status frequently suffer from a greater share of health issues. Sadly, this statistic also includes insomnia.
If you are having trouble getting to sleep, it may be time to control your news flow!
Constantly bombarding your brain with the stressful events of the day can take a toll on getting a good night’s sleep. It goes much deeper than simply being uncomfortable. More than just a restless night, insomnia is a sleep disorder that can deeply impact your entire life.
We’ve all tossed and turned during a sleepless night or two but imagine night after night of being bone tired and not being able to fall asleep. For some, insomnia has completely destroyed their lives from work to relationships that fall apart under the strain.
The risks of inadequate sleep go way beyond tiredness. Sleeplessness can lead to poor performance at work or school, increased risk of injury, and health problems.
In addition to anxiety and mood disorders, those with sleep disorders are at risk for heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.
There are two main types of insomnia: chronic and acute. Chronic insomnia is a sleep disruption that occurs three or more nights in a week for three months or longer, while acute insomnia is short-lived and may occur for several nights per week for a few weeks. But what causes insomnia?
Following are some of the 10 most common causes of insomnia. Insomnia symptoms may include:
• Difficulty falling asleep at night.
• Waking up during the night.
• Waking up too early.
• Not feeling well-rested after a night’s sleep.
• Daytime tiredness or sleepiness.
• Irritability, depression or anxiety.
• Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering.
• Increased errors or accidents.
Here are some tips for beating insomnia:
Beyond these common-sense approaches, give yourself permission to not be fully versed on all current events 24/7. Watching the news once a day creates stress for the average person, watching or listening to it all day long is a recipe for sleep time disaster!
Try to avoid checking your social media every few minutes, reading multiple news sources every morning, and endlessly discussing current problems. Try meditating before getting into bed. Begin writing a gratitude journal to help calm yourself and center your thoughts before bedtime.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
