Can the Election actually hurt your health?

Sleep Health in an Age of Election Stress: A Dystopian Reality

We’re living in a time where stress is an ever-present undercurrent, amplified tenfold by the political chaos surrounding elections. We’re constantly bombarded by news, debates, and social media, and it’s no wonder our sleep is one of the first things to suffer. Sleep isn’t just about getting a good night’s rest; it’s about mental health, emotional stability, and the ability to function. But when the election season rolls around, it’s almost as if sleep becomes a luxury many of us can no longer afford.

The Hidden Impact of Election Stress on Sleep

The lead-up to an election is designed to be stressful, and for good reason. Media outlets, political parties, and even social media algorithms feed off chaos, conflict, and division. It’s a circus designed to keep us engaged, angry, and, quite frankly, exhausted. The result? A restless night’s sleep, night after night, as we toss and turn with thoughts of what the future holds. For some, it’s even worse—a state resembling a micro-PTSD, where anxiety and stress-related symptoms flare up due to constant exposure to distressing events, commentary, and disinformation.

Research has shown that poor sleep can have severe effects on health. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, sleep deprivation is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, and impaired cognitive abilities. But it doesn’t stop there. Sleep is also directly tied to our emotional well-being. A lack of sleep leads to irritability, anxiety, and depression. When combined with the fear and stress that accompany election seasons, this creates a vicious cycle that is hard to escape.

Micro-PTSD: Living in a Constant State of Alarm

There’s a term called micro-PTSD that’s starting to get more attention. Micro-PTSD doesn’t refer to traditional post-traumatic stress disorder but rather describes the cumulative trauma of experiencing smaller, stress-inducing events over time. For those of us who have served in the military, we know what it’s like to live in a heightened state of alertness, but even for the average person, the constant barrage of disturbing news can be a trigger. According to a paper in The Journal of Anxiety Disorders, repeated exposure to distressing or fear-inducing content, such as media coverage of elections, can lead to symptoms similar to PTSD, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, and a sense of hopelessness . Essentially, the stress of living through a highly polarized, disinformation-laden election cycle can trigger a prolonged state of anxiety that mimics the symptoms of trauma.

This is no accident. The system is designed to keep you anxious, uncertain, and engaged. It’s why disinformation thrives, why we see headlines that inflame rather than inform. Social media feeds are fine-tuned to keep you scrolling, doom-scrolling even, and every notification is a reminder that the world is spinning out of control. So, we end up in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if any of it will get better.

Disinformation and Media Manipulation: Fueling the Insomnia Epidemic

Disinformation isn’t just annoying; it’s dangerous, and it’s also a major contributor to our current sleep crisis. A report from Nature Human Behaviour highlights how exposure to fake news and misleading information can exacerbate stress and anxiety, creating a state of cognitive dissonance that disrupts our ability to unwind and relax. It’s no wonder we’re losing sleep. We’re caught in a loop, constantly trying to sift through what’s true and what’s not, while the media keeps churning out the next crisis.

To make matters worse, the constant stream of information makes it nearly impossible to unplug. Our devices—those same ones that keep us connected to friends, family, and the latest updates—are also the very things keeping us from a good night’s sleep. The blue light from screens disrupts our circadian rhythm, the notifications keep our minds on edge, and the content fills us with dread. We’re sleeping less, and when we do sleep, it’s restless.

The Far-Reaching Effects of Sleep Deprivation

It’s important to understand just how deeply sleep impacts every aspect of our health. Sleep deprivation doesn’t just make you feel tired; it compromises your body’s entire system. Studies have shown that inadequate sleep affects memory consolidation, meaning your brain struggles to process and store new information . It also interferes with the regulation of hormones like cortisol and melatonin, which are crucial for stress management and maintaining the sleep-wake cycle. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to conditions like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that sleep-deprived individuals were more likely to make impulsive decisions, have trouble regulating their emotions, and display increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. When election season stirs up emotions, and the fear of uncertainty looms, these effects can become even more pronounced. Essentially, lack of sleep compounds the stress we already feel, creating a downward spiral that’s difficult to break out of.

Coping Mechanisms: Alcohol, Pills, and a Cycle of Dependence

Many people turn to coping mechanisms to deal with the stress and anxiety that affect their sleep. Unfortunately, not all of these methods are healthy. The use of alcohol as a sleep aid is well-documented, but what people often don’t realize is that while alcohol might help you fall asleep initially, it significantly disrupts the quality of sleep. It affects REM sleep, the restorative stage of sleep that helps with learning, memory, and mood regulation. This disruption leads to feeling even more fatigued and stressed the next day, creating a cycle of dependence and worsening sleep quality.

Prescription sleep medications, while sometimes necessary, can also lead to dependency. Many of these drugs have side effects, and they don’t address the root causes of sleep problems, which often stem from stress and lifestyle factors. Over time, reliance on sleep aids can prevent the body from learning how to fall asleep naturally.

The truth is, these quick fixes aren’t solutions. They’re just band-aids on a much deeper issue.

Finding Solutions in a Seemingly Hopeless Situation

In the SEAL Teams, we were taught to NEVER complain without offering a solution. So, what can we do? Well, I’m not going to pretend there’s a magic pill or a quick fix. We can’t change the way the media operates overnight, and we certainly can’t trust the government or corporations to look out for our best interests. But there are things we can do to reclaim some control, starting with how we manage our own stress and sleep health.

The solution and accumulation of all my efforts is the FREE Sleep Genius Community App. This app offers resources to help people struggling with sleep. It’s not about numbing the problem; it’s about addressing it head-on. The Sleep Genius App uses scientifically-backed methods to promote better sleep, including relaxing audio programs that can help ease the mind and prepare the body for rest. It’s a powerful way to take control of your sleep health, even when everything around you feels like it’s falling apart.

Introducing the Sleep Genius Community: More Than Just an App

What makes the Sleep Genius Community truly stand out is that it’s not just an app; it’s a community. Available at www.sleepgeni.us/forum, this platform offers free, easy-to-access resources where anyone struggling with sleep issues can find help. The forum is a space for people to discuss their sleep concerns, share experiences, and find support from others who are facing similar struggles. It’s about creating a community of people who understand that sleep is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

One of the most valuable aspects of the Sleep Genius Community is the participation of professionals in the field of sleep science. The forum is home to PhDs and experts who actively engage in discussions on all topics surrounding sleep, from the basics of sleep hygiene to advanced techniques for managing sleep disorders. This isn’t just another app making empty promises. This is a community built on real science, real expertise, and a genuine desire to help people. The app is scheduled to launch on the App Store and Play Store on November 1, 2024, and users will be able to use the same login for both the website and the app, making it seamless to access resources wherever you are.

The forum covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Sleep Hygiene: Practical advice on how to improve sleep by establishing consistent routines, managing light exposure, and optimizing your sleep environment.

• Coping with Stress and Anxiety: Techniques and strategies shared by professionals on how to manage stress, especially during high-stakes events like elections.

• Q&A with Sleep Experts: Engage directly with PhDs and sleep scientists who can answer questions, debunk myths, and provide insights on how to improve sleep quality.

The Sleep Genius Community is a beacon of hope for those of us who are tired of feeling helpless. It’s an opportunity to reclaim control over our sleep, to connect with others who understand what we’re going through, and to learn from experts who can guide us towards better health. And the best part? It’s completely free to join.

The Science Behind Sleep Genius: Why It Works

What sets Sleep Genius Community App apart from other sleep apps on the market is its practical application of existing science. Developed with input from neuroscientists and sleep experts, the app is home to the famous 62romeo course as well as the Community Forum. We believe in training and education over therapy. We believe in community of isolated treatment. We believe in spreading the knowledge freely versus charging per visit. The Sleep Genius Community App is positioned to change the world.

Visit the blog to get updates on sleep science and fun facts. Engage with your Phds on the forum. Take free courses or commit to a full-phased sleep program. Join specialized groups specific to your life and share common experiences. You can even buy swag from the Sleep Genius store.

Conclusion: Choosing to Act

We live in a dystopian reality where stress, disinformation, and a broken system threaten to rob us of something as fundamental as sleep. But we don’t have to accept it. Yes, the system is flawed, and yes, the future seems uncertain, but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. We can still take steps to protect our health, our well-being, and our sanity. Sleep is not a luxury; it’s a necessity, and it’s time we started treating it like one. The Sleep Genius Community App is just one tool to help us do that, to help us rest, recharge, and face whatever comes next with a clearer mind and a stronger resolve.

Even in a world that seems hell-bent on keeping us awake, we have to find ways to rest. It’s not just about sleep; it’s about survival. Join the conversation at www.sleepgeni.us/forum, and let’s start taking our health back, one night at a time.

-Rob Sweetman, Former Navy SEAL and Sleep Genius