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People often ask me, “Can sleep help with anxiety?” After more than 20 years of handcrafting mattresses and helping people find their ideal comfort, I can tell you, the answer is yes.
Recently, I attended a conference in Texas where I heard Dr. John Delony, author of Redefining Anxiety, share a perspective that resonated deeply with me.
He explained that anxiety isn’t a flaw or a disease, it’s a signal. Your body is trying to alert you that something feels off.
As a sleep expert, I see every day how the right kind of rest can quiet that signal and bring people back into balance.
So let’s look at what both science and experience reveal about the connection between sleep and anxiety, and what you can do to improve both.
What Anxiety Really Is — and Why It Keeps You Up at Night
Dr. Delony says anxiety is your body’s built-in alarm system. It evolved to protect you from real dangers, such as an oncoming storm or threats in your environment. But today, our brains often react the same way to modern stressors like work deadlines, finances, or even social media.
When your brain senses danger, it releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals prepare your body to respond, increasing your heart rate, tightening muscles, and sharpening alertness. That’s useful during real emergencies, but it’s not so helpful when you’re lying in bed trying to rest.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 30% of adults in the U.S. will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. And many of them struggle with sleep, creating a frustrating cycle where anxiety keeps you awake, and lack of sleep makes anxiety worse.
Understanding that connection is the first step toward breaking the cycle — and that’s where good sleep habits come in.
How Sleep Impacts Anxiety (and Why Poor Sleep Makes It Worse)
Sleep and anxiety are deeply intertwined. When you don’t get enough rest, your body’s stress response system stays active, producing more cortisol and disrupting your mood and focus. About 50% of individuals who struggle with anxiety struggle with sleep disturbances, like insomnia.
Research published in Dovepress shows that getting under seven hours of sleep per night was linked with higher rates of anxiety. “Among participants, 25.8% exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Compared to normal sleep duration (7– 9 hours), very short sleep durations (< 5 hours) and short sleep durations (5 to < 7 hours) were significantly linked to higher anxiety risks,” the report states.
Additionally, research from UC Berkeley found that just one night of poor sleep can increase anxiety levels by up to 30%. During deep sleep and REM sleep, the brain resets its emotional circuits, calming overactive amygdala activity, the region that processes fear and stress.
When you’re short on sleep, that reset doesn’t happen. The result? Your brain becomes more reactive, your patience shortens, and even minor stressors feel overwhelming.
Dr. Matthew Walker, one of the world’s leading sleep scientists, said it best:
“Without sufficient sleep, we become a mentally impaired version of ourselves.”
In my years helping customers across Wisconsin and Illinois, I’ve seen this firsthand. Once someone begins sleeping better on a mattress that supports their body and aligns their spine, they notice more than physical relief.
Their mind feels calmer. They wake up with more clarity and confidence to face the day.
How to Create a Sleep Routine That Supports Mental Well-Being
The good news? You can train your body to rest more easily, even if anxiety has been a long-term challenge. Building a healthy sleep routine helps regulate your internal clock, reduce stress hormones, and promote more consistent rest.
Here are a few key habits that truly make a difference:
1. Keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time
Our bodies are built for rhythm. When you go to bed and wake up around the same time every day (yes, even on weekends) your internal clock starts to sync. I’ve had customers tell me that once they got in the groove, they started feeling sleepy right on schedule, without tossing and turning.
That kind of predictability helps your brain settle down and signals to your nervous system that it’s okay to power off. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which stabilizes energy and mood.
2. Power down early
I know how tempting it is to scroll through your phone or watch one more episode — we’ve all been there. But screens pump out blue light that tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime.
I usually recommend unplugging at least 30–60 minutes before bed. Instead, try something simple: read a book, listen to soft music, or just sit quietly with a warm cup of tea. Those quiet minutes can help shift your brain from “go mode” to “rest mode.”
3. Create a calm sleep environment
Your bedroom should feel like a retreat, not just another room. A cooler temperature (around 60–67°F) helps your body naturally wind down. The Sleep Foundation recommends keeping your bedroom between 60–67°F for optimal rest.
Keep the space dark, quiet, and clutter-free if you can. I’ve had folks tell me that just swapping out harsh lighting for a bedside lamp made their whole room feel more restful. Your space should feel calm, inviting, and relaxing, not chaotic.
4. Start a simple wind-down habit
One thing I often suggest is finding a wind-down habit, like journaling for five minutes before bed. Nothing fancy. Just grab a notebook and write down a few thoughts from the day, what you’re grateful for, or anything that’s been weighing on you.
Maybe it’s praying or meditating —whatever calms you —but doing the same habit before bed, in addition to the above items, helps clear your mind and signals to your body that you’re done for the day.
I’ve had customers tell me they sleep better just by getting their worries out of their heads and onto paper. Whatever it is for you, incorporate a wind-down habit into your routine.
5. Choose the right mattress for your body type and sleeping position
Finally, you need to choose a high-quality mattress that suits your body type and sleep preferences. You can do all the above steps to perfection, but if your mattress hurts your body, none of them will help.
The wrong mattress can lead to tossing, turning, and restless nights. A bed that’s too soft may cause your spine to sag, while one that’s too firm can create tension. The right mattress evenly supports your body, allowing both your muscles and your mind to relax fully.
You can find your best fit with our Mattress Match Tool — it helps you identify models that suit your body type, comfort preferences, and budget.
How the Right Mattress Can Make a Difference
Here’s something I’ve learned over decades in the bedding industry: the right mattress doesn’t just improve how you sleep, it changes how you feel.
When your mattress provides proper alignment and pressure relief, your nervous system can downshift out of “fight or flight” mode and into deep, restorative rest.
That’s why so many customers tell us they not only sleep better but also feel less tense and more emotionally balanced.
At The Beloit Mattress Company, we design every custom mattress by hand right inside our factory.
Because we build each one to order, we can adjust comfort levels, materials, and structure for your specific needs, something big-box stores simply can’t offer.
Whether you’re from Beloit, WI, Rockford, IL, or nearby communities, our bedmakers can help you experience handcrafted comfort that truly supports both your body and mind.
Anxiety Isn’t the End of the Story — Healing Starts with Rest
Anxiety isn’t a weakness. It’s your body’s way of signaling that you need care, and one of the most natural ways to respond is through restorative sleep.
Dr. John Delony reminds us that anxiety is not who we are, just an alarm that can be quieted with the proper habits, balance, and self-awareness. And from what I’ve seen, quality sleep is often the first step toward that calm.
When your body rests well, your mind follows.
Find Handcrafted Comfort That Helps You Rest Easier
If restless nights or anxiety have kept you from feeling your best, it might be time to look at your sleep foundation. Visit one of our showrooms in Beloit, WI, or Rockford, IL, to experience handcrafted comfort built for you.
You’ll meet real bedmakers who take the time to listen and help you find the perfect fit for your body type, sleep position, and comfort goals.
If you want to experience the best sleep of your life, visit one of our showrooms today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does anxiety go away with sleep?
From what I’ve seen, good sleep doesn’t make anxiety disappear overnight — but it can make a world of difference. When you get enough sleep, your body restores balance to its stress response system.
That helps regulate hormones and calm your mind. Many people with sleep problems or sleep disorders notice that when their sleep improves, their anxiety feels lighter the next day. So while sleep isn’t a cure-all, it’s one of the healthiest ways to help your body and mind reset.
How to ease anxiety at night?
The nighttime hours can be tough when your mind won’t slow down. That’s why it helps to have a short wind-down routine — something that signals to your body it’s safe to rest. Turn off bright lights and screens, practice deep breathing for a few minutes, and keep a notepad near your bed to jot down anything that’s bothering you. I’ve seen countless customers find relief just by giving themselves time to slow down before bed. Small changes like these can ease tension and make falling asleep feel more natural.
How much sleep should you get?
Most adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. But it’s not just about the number; the quality matters, too. If you’re waking up often or feeling tired the next day, you might not be getting enough sleep.
That’s sometimes a sign of underlying sleep problems or even mild sleep disorders. The good news? Creating a calming routine and finding a supportive mattress can help your body stay asleep longer and enter the deep, restorative stages that make you feel refreshed.
Should I sleep if I’m having anxiety?
If you’re feeling anxious, it’s okay and healthy to rest. I’m not a doctor, but over the years I’ve seen many people use deep breathing or mindfulness before bed to quiet their thoughts and drift off naturally.
Even if you can’t fall asleep right away, lying down and resting your body helps reduce tension. And if sleep problems or anxious nights become frequent, it may help to talk with a professional to rule out sleep disorders or other underlying issues. Getting enough sleep regularly can make managing anxiety much easier the next day.
Have another question? We’re here to help!
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