Does COVID-19 Cause Insomnia? Yes, COVID Can Cause Sleep Issues

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Many people experience insomnia at some point during their lives. But it rarely happens on its own. 

There’s usually a cause for insomnia. Most people can pinpoint a reason, such as travel changing their natural circadian rhythm, higher stress levels, or shift work. 

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, insomnia rates have skyrocketed. Many people experience COVID related sleep issues. If you’ve had trouble sleeping after being sick with COVID, here’s what you should know about COVID insomnia.

Does COVID-19 cause insomnia?

Many people report sleep issues and insomnia during and after COVID illness. Although the CDC doesn’t list insomnia as a symptom of COVID, studies show that people often report sleeplessness and other sleep problems while they have COVID. It’s been difficult for researchers to figure out if the virus itself causes trouble sleeping. But some research suggests that people diagnosed with COVID are more likely to develop insomnia, even if they only have a mild COVID illness.

There’s also research showing that “coronasomnia” is one of the most common symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome (also known as long COVID). This means that even if people don’t develop insomnia while they’re sick, they might develop post-COVID insomnia as part of a long COVID condition. 

Can COVID-19 vaccines cause insomnia?

Right now, there’s no evidence that insomnia is a side effect of any of the COVID-19 vaccines. Talk with your healthcare team if you’re experiencing sleep issues after a COVID vaccine. It’s likely there’s another cause of your insomnia.

How does COVID cause insomnia?

There are no studies that show how the COVID virus affects sleep. It may not be the virus itself that causes COVID-related sleep issues. COVID insomnia may be caused by the stress of being sick. Research shows that being diagnosed with COVID-19 can lead to insomnia. Even if the illness itself doesn’t cause insomnia, the stress of having it can cause insomnia.

There’s also research showing that caring for people with COVID-19 can lead to insomnia, particularly among healthcare workers. 

COVID-related sleeplessness may also be caused by COVID symptoms. For example, some people have a cough while sick with COVID, which can keep them from falling asleep. Over time, this can lead to trouble falling or staying asleep, which are key symptoms of insomnia.

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It’s clear that being sick with COVID can lead to sleep disturbances and sleepless nights. In one large review, scientists found that about 4 in 10 people who got sick with COVID reported trouble sleeping. 

What’s more worrisome is that research suggests people who experience insomnia during COVID are more likely to take longer to recover from their illness. There’s also research showing that people who are prone to insomnia are at a greater risk of getting sick with COVID in the first place, potentially creating a vicious cycle of sleeplessness and illness.

Why does long COVID cause insomnia?

Many people experience post-COVID insomnia. Ongoing studies are looking at the relationship between post-COVID insomnia and long COVID. But right now, it’s not clear why insomnia is such a common symptom of long COVID. 

Some researchers think that post-COVID insomnia can be related to pain, another feature of long COVID. Headaches, also a symptom of long COVID, may disrupt sleep and lead to insomnia and other sleep disorders. 

How long does COVID-19 insomnia last?

It’s not yet clear how long post-COVID insomnia and COVID sleep issues can last. Some people experience symptoms for weeks to months, especially if they develop post-COVID-19 syndrome or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to COVID-19. 

How do you treat COVID-19 insomnia?

Treatment for COVID-related insomnia is the same as treatment for other types of insomnia. The first step is to develop a sleep strategy by improving sleep hygiene. Some things that can promote better sleep hygiene include:

• Going to bed at the same time every night

• Sleeping in a dark room with as little light as possible

• Avoiding using light-emitting electronics in bed, including cellphones, computers, and TV

• Eating an early dinner

• Getting daily exercise

• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine in the evening

If you continue to have insomnia, ask a healthcare professional about trying an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid, like melatonin. Melatonin can help some people sleep better and is safe for most people to use for a short period of time. 

It’s also important to focus on mental wellness if you’re having trouble sleeping. This may include:

• Working with a therapist

• Practicing meditation

• Doing mindfulness activities 

• Trying out activities to promote a healthy mind 

If these methods still aren’t enough, your healthcare team may offer you a prescription sleep aid for a short period of time. 

What to do if you can’t sleep due to COVID-19?

Some people have trouble falling asleep because of a bout of COVID-19 illness. Symptoms of COVID-19 — like fever, cough, and congestion — can make falling and staying asleep a challenge. Here are some steps you can take:

• About 30 minutes before bed, try breathing in hot, moist air. You can do this by sitting on the edge of a bathtub with the shower running and breathing in the steam. You can also breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water. 

• Take OTC fever relievers, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and any prescription or OTC decongestant about 20 minutes before bed.

• Stay hydrated throughout the day and keep water next to your bed.

• Avoid decongestants and other medications that contain stimulants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

• Use a humidifier in your room to help keep your nasal passages moist.

Get medical care right away if you can’t sleep because you’re having trouble breathing while lying down, feeling short of breath, or experiencing chest pain. These symptoms can be signs of serious illness and need urgent medical attention. 

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Written by:

Ashely Alker, MD, MSc

Ashely Alker, MD, MSc is an emergency medicine physician and nationally published writer and speaker who focuses on patient education through media and healthcare policy.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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