Sleep and Trauma: Restoring Rest to Israel's Restless
Wellness

Sleep and Trauma: Restoring Rest to Israel's Restless

Sleep—that quiet refuge—has become elusive for many Israelis since October 7. Nightmares, hypervigilance, and racing thoughts turn nights into battlefields of their own.

June 23, 20241 min read

Sleep—that quiet refuge—has become elusive for many Israelis since October 7. Nightmares, hypervigilance, and racing thoughts turn nights into battlefields of their own.

Mental Health First Aid Israel addresses sleep disturbance as both a symptom and a cause of ongoing distress. Sleep deprivation weakens the brain's ability to regulate emotion, creating a vicious cycle.

MHFA training includes sleep hygiene basics: consistent bedtimes, limited screens, calming pre-sleep routines. For those with persistent nightmares, professional interventions like imagery rehearsal therapy are recommended.

Volunteers learn to ask about sleep during check-ins: "How have your nights been?" Often, it's the question that opens the door.

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