Why is anxiety worse at night?

Anxiety can feel worse at night for several reasons, including:

1. Increased silence and darkness: At night, there is often less external stimulation and activity, which can lead to an increase in internal thoughts and worries. The quiet and dark environment can make it easier for anxious thoughts to become more prominent and overwhelming.
2. Tiredness: Fatigue can worsen anxiety symptoms, and it’s common to feel more tired at the end of the day. When the body is tired, it can be more challenging to manage anxious thoughts, and they may feel more intense.
3. Hormonal changes: The body’s natural rhythm and hormonal changes can affect anxiety levels. For example, cortisol levels tend to be highest in the morning and lower at night, so when cortisol levels drop, it can make anxiety symptoms feel worse.
4. Less control over the environment: At night, there is often less control over the environment, which can make people feel more vulnerable and anxious. For example, if someone lives in a noisy area or has neighbors who are noisy at night, it can be challenging to control the noise levels, leading to increased anxiety.
5. Increased rumination: Rumination is when someone repeatedly thinks about the same negative thoughts or worries. At night, there may be more time to dwell on negative thoughts, leading to increased rumination and anxiety.