Struggling to Sleep? Stress, Anxiety and Why Your Mind Won’t Switch Off…
If you’ve ever been visited by the insomnia fairy, you’ll know the doom she brings…
You finally drop off, exhausted — only to wake in the early hours feeling completely wired and unable to settle back to sleep.
Your thoughts start racing.
Anxiety creeps in.
Your mind spirals, overthinking and analysing everything from the past, the present… and even the future.
Then comes the clock-watching — counting the hours and worrying about how tired you’ll feel tomorrow.
Or perhaps sleep won’t come at all, leaving you stuck in that familiar, exhaustion-fuelled loop of anxious thoughts.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. As someone offering therapy and anxiety support in North Dorset, I see this pattern regularly — and there are ways to help.
Why Can’t I Sleep When I’m Exhausted?
There are many factors that can interfere with sleep, including:
Stress and anxiety
Mental health difficulties
Burnout
Diet and blood sugar imbalance
Medical conditions
Alcohol and caffeine
Hormonal changes, including perimenopause
But if I had to put my money on one main culprit?
Stress.
Stress quietly affects almost every part of our lives. It changes how we eat, how much we drink, how much caffeine we rely on — and it has a huge impact on our hormones.
This is especially noticeable during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and perimenopause, when natural hormonal shifts make sleep more sensitive and anxiety symptoms more intense.
Hormones affect stress.
Stress affects hormones.
A perfect little cycle of chaos.
Stress, Anxiety and the “Balloon” Effect
🎈 Think of your stress capacity like a balloon.
Sleep is one of the key ways your brain releases pressure from that balloon.
So when you can’t sleep, it’s often your body’s way of saying:
“I’m getting close to full.”
When stress keeps building without release — through work pressure, emotional strain, anxiety, hormonal shifts, or constant mental load — something eventually has to give.
Poor sleep is often the first sign.
How Therapy and Anxiety Support Can Help With Sleep
The goal isn’t just “better sleep hygiene” — it’s about reducing the stress chemicals buzzing around your nervous system and gently letting air out of that balloon.
Here are some supportive steps that can help:
Practical Ways to Lower Stress and Support Sleep
✔ Move your body — especially in ways you actually enjoy
✔ Spend time outdoors and in nature
✔ Talk things through with a trusted friend, partner, or therapist
✔ Set boundaries around screen time, especially in the evening
✔ Give yourself genuine permission to rest
✔ Try restorative yoga, meditation, or guided relaxation
✔ Explore hypnotherapy or deep relaxation techniques
✔ Consider acupuncture, reflexology, or massage if they help you unwind
✔ Reduce caffeine and alcohol where possible
✔ Speak to your GP about hormones if you suspect they’re contributing
✔ Look at your diet — what small, sustainable changes could help?
When anxiety is driving sleep problems, therapy can help calm the nervous system, reduce overthinking, and address the underlying stress rather than just the symptoms.
Anxiety, Sleep and Local Support in North Dorset
If anxiety, stress, hormonal changes, or persistent sleep problems are affecting your wellbeing, you don’t have to manage it alone.
I offer therapy and anxiety support in North Dorset, supporting adults and families with:
Anxiety and overthinking
Stress and burnout
Sleep difficulties and insomnia
Perimenopause-related anxiety
Emotional wellbeing and nervous system regulation
Want Extra Support?
✨ What’s one small thing you could try this week? ✨
If you have questions about your sleep, stress levels, anxiety, or your child’s sleep, feel free to get in touch.
💜 Free resource: If you’d like to try my free deep relaxation hypnotherapy audio, just send me a message.
And always speak to your GP if symptoms persist or worsen.
Disclaimer
⚠️ This information is general and written for wellbeing education purposes. It does not replace medical advice. Please consult your GP or healthcare professional for ongoing concerns.
