Eight hours in bed does not always equal eight hours of restorative sleep. If you wake up with a headache, dry mouth, irritability or brain fog, your sleep may be getting interrupted more than you realize.

For veterans, those interruptions can come from chronic pain, nightmares, tinnitus, anxiety, medication side effects or the habit of remaining alert to every sound in the house. You may not remember awaking several times, but your body can still feel the effects the next day.

Quality sleep helps the brain process memories, manage emotions and maintain focus. It also gives the body time to recover. When sleep is repeatedly disrupted, driving, making decisions and managing everyday stress may require more effort.

Women veterans should pay attention to symptoms that are easy to dismiss. Sleep apnea does not always announce itself with loud snoring. For some women, it may appear as insomnia, fatigue, morning headaches or frequent waking.

Army veteran Marie experienced nightmares and insomnia after returning from Iraq. After reaching out for help and participating in VA group therapy, she said, “I feel like I’ve been on an uphill swing now for a while, which has been amazing.”

Her experience is a reminder that ongoing sleep problems deserve attention.

Seven Night Sleep Quality Checklist
☐ Record when you went to bed and when you believe you fell asleep.
☐ Note how often you woke up and what may have awakened you.
☐ Track morning headaches, dry mouth, nightmares or night sweats.
☐ Record daytime fatigue, irritability or difficulty concentrating.
☐ Include evening caffeine, alcohol and medication times.

WVR Quick Reminder: Do not tell your health care provider only that you are tired. Bring a weeklong sleep record that shows the pattern. It may help identify insomnia, sleep apnea, medication effects or another issue that needs attention.

Better sleep may begin with noticing what happens between lights out and the morning alarm. If you are getting enough hours but still waking up exhausted, speak with a health care provider. Your body may be telling you something that should not be ignored.