ANCSLEEP BLOG

Sleep is often described as the body’s natural healing process—a time when the brain resets, emotions are processed, and the nervous system is restored. But for people living with unresolved trauma, sleep doesn’t always bring peace. Instead, it can feel like a battleground of restlessness, anxiety, or even fear.

Unresolved trauma—whether it stems from childhood experiences, abuse, accidents, grief, or chronic stress—can leave lasting imprints on both the mind and body. And one of the most common places those effects show up is in sleep quality.

We often think of sleep as a personal experience—something that affects our own mood, health, and productivity. But research shows that the quality of your sleep also influences how you relate to others. In fact, sleep and empathy are deeply connected.

Whether you’re a parent, partner, coworker, or friend, your ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others—your empathy—can rise or fall depending on how well you slept the night before.

Let’s explore how sleep impacts emotional connection, and why being well-rested is essential for compassionate, empathetic relationships.

In our screen-filled, desk-bound modern lives, many of us spend more hours sitting than moving—and while we know that a sedentary lifestyle can take a toll on our hearts and waistlines, its effects on sleep are just as concerning.

Whether you're working from a laptop all day, lounging in front of the TV at night, or skipping physical activity altogether, that lack of movement could be robbing you of the deep, restful sleep your body needs. Here's how.

Sleep is one of the most important things you do for your health—and your mattress plays a starring role. Yet many of us hang on to our beds long after their best days are behind them, suffering through restless nights, morning aches, or sagging springs because we’re not quite sure when to replace them.

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to retire your mattress, here are some key signs and considerations to help you decide.

If you've ever taken sleep medication and found yourself wide awake the moment you stop, you’re not alone. This frustrating phenomenon is known as rebound insomnia—a temporary but often intense return of sleeplessness that can be worse than the original problem.

In this post, we’ll explore what rebound insomnia is, why it happens, and how to manage it without falling into a cycle of long-term sleep aid dependence.

You're finally in bed, ready to rest, but instead of drifting off to sleep, you're scratching at your arms, legs, or back. Nighttime itching, also called nocturnal pruritus, can be incredibly frustrating and disruptive, turning what should be a peaceful time into a nightly battle with your skin.

So what causes this uncomfortable sensation—and how can you make it stop? Let’s explore the most common culprits behind nighttime itching and what you can do to get relief.

It’s bedtime, your sheets are cozy, your room is dark, and you’re finally ready to drift off—when suddenly, itchy red welts appear out of nowhere. If you've ever experienced hives at night, you know how frustrating and disruptive it can be. These unwelcome flare-ups can affect both your sleep and your sanity.

Let’s break down what causes nighttime hives, why they tend to appear when you're trying to rest, and what steps you can take to get relief.

Having a colicky baby can feel like living in a sleepless storm. Just when you think things are calming down, the crying begins again—loud, intense, and seemingly without cause. For exhausted parents, one of the biggest challenges of colic is how it disrupts sleep for both baby and caregiver.

While colic is a temporary phase (most babies outgrow it by 3–4 months), the toll it takes on sleep can be overwhelming. The good news? There are strategies to help you soothe your colicky baby—and create an environment more conducive to sleep for everyone.

Here’s how to navigate the nights and reclaim a bit of rest in the middle of the chaos.

Quitting smoking is one of the hardest—and most rewarding—decisions you can make for your health. But while most quit-smoking plans focus on nicotine replacement or behavioral strategies, one crucial piece is often overlooked: sleep.

Getting enough high-quality rest isn’t just helpful when you’re trying to quit smoking—it can be a game-changer. Let’s explore how sleep supports the quitting process and why prioritizing rest might give you the edge you need to stay smoke-free.

One of the trickiest parts of parenting young children is figuring out when to put them to sleep. Miss the window, and your peaceful bedtime might turn into a full-blown meltdown. The secret? Learning to identify your child’s “sleepy sweet spot”—that golden moment when they’re tired enough to fall asleep easily, but not so exhausted that they resist rest altogether.

Here’s how to spot that ideal window and avoid the overtired spiral.