Tired of lying wide awake long after your head hits the pillow? You are not alone. The Sunshine State ranks low when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep and waking refreshed and ready for the day. “Where you live can have a significant impact on how consistent and enjoyable your routines are, especially in the morning. Florida’s late sunrises and limited early-morning setup make it a real challenge for early risers, Anxiety, depression, and ruminating on thoughts are the top culprits I see every day in my clinic. Worrying activates the brain’s arousal systems, making it harder to fall or stay asleep,” he says. “Combine that with heavy workloads, financial stress, and late-night scrolling. It’s no wonder people lie awake longer in bed. Stress affects everyone, no matter age or gender, from work obligations to young folks raising families to health issues that come with age. Over the years, these stressors have evolved,” explains Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg. “In the 1950s, people still worried about work. But once you clocked out, you were done. That is not the case today. Emails and constant connectivity pressures keep stress lingering, taking a toll on sleep Televisions in the bedroom are my biggest pet peeve,” says Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg. “If you need background noise, opt for a fan, white noise machine, calming music, or a monotone podcast. Unlike those steady sounds, televisions flicker from bright to dark scenes and jump in volume, which can disrupt sleep.” With over-scheduled days, many people don’t slow down until their head hits the pillow. To beat the bedtime brain buzz, Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg suggests incorporating personal downtime, jotting reminders before bed, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, and establishing a steady sleep routine with morning sunlight and hydration. “Your body knows how to sleep, just like it knows how to digest food,” explains Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg. “Sleep is essential for healing muscles, supporting metabolism, and restoring your body. Prioritize it, but don’t stress over it in bed. Worrying about sleep will only make it worse. I don’t really worry about an occasional bad night. What I worry about is consistently not getting enough, because that can affect our health.”
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Tuesday, March 17, 2026