Why is it so much harder to fall asleep when you’re thinking about how badly you need to go to sleep?

Question

Yes I need therapy. Yes I’m working on it 😆

In: Biology

Answer 1

Stress keeps you awake. From an evolutionary standpoint it makes a lot of sense. You don’t want to sleep with a lion outside your hut. You have to stay awake and protect your family.

When you NEED sleep, it’s usually because of something stressful happening the next day.

The “just fall asleep already” thought doesn’t cause you not to fall asleep. It’s the stress your body/mind is under that keeps you awake.