Life has changed since the novel coronavirus spread worldwide. “People are reporting an increase in anxiety and fears related to uncertainty,” says Dr. Julie Kolzet, PH.D., a therapist in New York City who specializes in sleep disorders. “Those feelings often translate to sleep disturbances. Stress or anxiety can cause a serious night without sleep.”
In a Mayo Clinic FAQ about sleep and illness, Eric J. Olson, M.D. emphasizes that a lack of sleep can adversely affect your immune system. According to Dr. Olson, “studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick.”
A few years ago a man in our congregation had open-heart surgery. After he had been home a couple of days I called to check on him and to say that I was coming over to have prayer. His wife proceeded to tell me that he had little or no sleep since coming home from the hospital. On the way to their home, I was reminded of a passage found in Psalm 3, “I CRIED unto the Lord with my voice, and HE HEARD me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and SLEPT; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me”(vs. 4-5, KJV). When I arrived I asked how he was feeling and that I had a scripture for him. I quoted these two verses and then shared that my dad, Dr. Gene D. Rice had summarized these two verses with six words: I CRIED…HE HEARD…I SLEPT! At that point, the man began to weep. Through his tears, he said he had been afraid to go to sleep. I had a terrible fear that I would never wake up. As I was leaving, he took out his Bible and with pen in hand he was underlining those six simple words in Psalm 3: I CRIED…HE HEARD…I SLEPT! The next day his wife called and said that after I left he slept for hours. Please, don’t let fear, anxiety, stress, and worry keep you from getting much-needed sleep. David said: “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety”(Psalm 4:8, KJV).
