Insomnia after COVID: what should you know?

Illness can disturb sleep through fever, cough, breathlessness, pain, fatigue, and changes to daily activity. Worry about symptoms, isolation, or a disrupted routine can keep the brain alert at bedtime. Some medicines used during or after an illness may also affect sleep.

Post-viral symptoms can overlap with insomnia, including daytime tiredness and difficulty concentrating. Keeping a record of sleep alongside breathlessness, palpitations, pain, mood, and medicines helps a clinician see whether one problem is driving another.

Set a regular wake time and get gentle daylight exposure when able. Pace activity so that daytime rest does not become a long late nap. Keep the bedroom comfortable, reduce screens before bed, and use a calm routine such as quiet reading or breathing exercises.

Do not push through severe fatigue or restart exercise abruptly. Ask a clinician to review medicines and persistent symptoms before using sleeping tablets, antihistamines, or supplements.

Arrange an appointment if insomnia continues, returns repeatedly, or interferes with daily tasks. Seek urgent help for new or worsening breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, severe confusion, blue lips, or sudden weakness. Contact a clinician promptly for severe low mood or thoughts of self-harm.

Could my current medicines or symptoms be disturbing sleep? How should I pace activity and naps? Do I need assessment for breathing, mood, or another post-viral problem?