Unique Sleep Challenges Military Families Face – And How To Overcome It

Military Families Sleeping Challenges

Military families have unique sleep challenges that are often not discussed, even among friends and family. Often, they are put in stressful situations where they are forced to make difficult decisions. As a result, the effects of their choices can be harmful to the health of everyone involved. This can lead to unusual sleep problems and other health issues.

Here Are Some Of The Unique Challenges Faced By Military Families

• One of the most common problems is lack of sleep due to being deployed to a foreign land. Lack of sleep can cause mood disorders, memory lapses and can interfere with performing your essential day-to-day duties. For military spouses, sleep problems could include difficulties sleeping on time, inability to focus and concentrate, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and waking up during the night. Other symptoms can include depression, anxiety, and mental exhaustion.

• Many military couples face the issue of sleep deprivation, which can cause several health problems. At first, they may not realize it, but the stress associated with being away from home and constant changes in daily routines and schedules can affect sleep patterns. Military couples may find themselves waking up several times during the night or feeling as though they cannot get enough sleep. Many of these symptoms are caused by the stress of being deployed. However, the pressure of leaving home to go to war can also harm the quality of military sleep.

• As a child grows into a teenager, the effects of the pressure of being deployed to military service can cause sleep difficulties for teenagers. In some cases, the children may attempt to avoid school and relationships because of the stress of being away from home. Some children become so frustrated that they withdraw from social networks and develop poor eating habits and substance abuse. As a result, many parents struggle to provide the help necessary to help their children overcome these problems.
 
• The constant movement that military members face can also contribute to poor sleep habits. This includes members staying awake all night and sleeping only a couple of hours or so. In addition, children will often move from their homes to temporary quarters when their parents are away. This may cause sleep disturbances as the children try to adjust to their new living conditions. Some of these children will become fearful and anxious as a result of their behavior.
 
• Although there are many solutions available to help military children adjust to their new lifestyle, most do not address the actual cause of the sleep disorders. This can lead to more behavior problems and sleep issues in adulthood. In many cases, the underlying cause of sleep problems is stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate the symptoms.

If you are concerned about the unique sleep challenges military families face, you may want to consider discussing these issues with your child's primary care physician. The doctor can provide information and an assessment of the potential causes. The doctor can then develop a treatment plan that can be implemented with your child's full support. In such cases, a trundle bed frame also helps a great deal. A trundle bed frame has the capacity of adjusting more than one child without taking extra space and also has a hidden bed beneath it. These types of bed frames are very much needed in the militia. You can learn more about unique sleep issues and how you can help your child and their family find a solution.

Ways To Overcome Military Sleep Problems

• Relax: One of the most effective ways to overcome military unique sleep challenges is to learn how to relax. This may sound simple enough, but many people find that they cannot relax unless their loved ones surround them. It is essential to learn how to relax because it can help you sleep faster and with more comfort. The best way to relax is to learn deep breathing techniques, which can be helpful for everyone, including military families. In addition to learning about deep breathing techniques, it is also beneficial to set a regular bedtime and work to control insomnia. You should always try to avoid caffeine, which can keep you awake and cause you to have restless sleep patterns.

• Anticipate: You need to plan for the day ahead. It is surprising how many people leave their tasks and responsibilities at the last minute. If you're staying up late studying for a test or writing reports, you should set a bedtime for yourself. If you don't plan, you'll inevitably be awake and trying to figure out what you must do and who needs to do it.
 
• Avoid Stimulants: caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake. If you need to stay awake, you need to find other ways. You can cut down on coffee or avoid it altogether. There are plenty of other healthy options you can choose from.
 
• Get Proper Bedtime: Getting the right amount of sleep each night is vital. Your body needs to go to bed simultaneously each night and wake up at the same time. If this doesn't happen, you're tossing and turning or even suffering from insomnia. If you have trouble sleeping at night, make sure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Try to use melatonin to help with this. Use a comfortable bed sheet and note the size of the bedsheet because there are always chances of emergencies in the military, and therefore, the smaller the bed sheet size, the better.
 
• Avoiding Stress: Stress is a massive problem in our lives, and it affects us physically and emotionally. It can mess with your sleep schedule. If you can learn to manage your stress, you can benefit by getting a better night's sleep. Meditation and yoga are excellent ways to deal with stress. They give you a clear mind that is free from worries and distractions.

Conclusion

Knowing these tips can help you if you are struggling with military unique sleep challenges. Just remember that you are not alone. There are plenty of others going through the same thing. The best thing you can do is to reach out for help. There are plenty of support groups that can provide support for people like you. There is no reason why you cannot find ways to overcome sleep challenges and get the sleep you need.