For many veterans, the battles don’t end after deployment—they simply shift. One of the most common, yet overlooked, struggles veterans face is something most civilians take for granted: sleep. At Warriors Fund, our mission to empower veterans means shining a light on all facets of well-being, including the often-ignored crisis of veteran sleep health. Understanding why quality rest is so elusive after service is key to building a stronger, more stable future for those who served.
Why Sleep Matters for Veterans
Sleep is foundational to human health. It impacts everything—our memory, immune system, emotional stability, and physical recovery. But for veterans, good sleep is not just a wellness goal—it’s a critical component of the post-service transition. Without restorative rest, other aspects of reintegration—such as finding a job, maintaining relationships, or managing chronic conditions—become significantly more difficult.
Research from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows that sleep disorders are among the most common health issues faced by veterans today. Veterans are more likely to experience insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and sleep fragmentation compared to the general population. These aren’t just nuisances—they’re barriers to recovery, growth, and stability.
Staggering Statistics That Can’t Be Ignored
Recent studies paint a troubling picture. An estimated 57% of post-9/11 veterans suffer from chronic insomnia—nearly double the rate seen in civilians. Diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing interruptions during sleep, are also significantly more common among veterans. Within the VA healthcare system, OSA prevalence jumped more than fourfold between 2012 and 2018.
This rise isn’t just due to better screening—it reflects a larger pattern of sleep dysfunction deeply rooted in military experience. Sleep deprivation, once seen as a badge of honor during active duty, becomes a serious liability in civilian life. Veterans find themselves exhausted, anxious, and unable to function at their full potential.
Root Causes Tied to Service
Why do so many veterans struggle to sleep? The answer lies in the unique physical and psychological demands of military service. For many, deployments involve months or years of high-stress, high-alert environments. The brain adapts to danger by staying hypervigilant—a response that doesn’t easily turn off once home.
PTSD and sleep disturbances are tightly linked. Veterans often suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, and night sweats that interrupt rest and create anxiety around bedtime. In fact, insomnia is one of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD. But even veterans without a formal PTSD diagnosis may find their minds racing at night, replaying stressful scenarios or feeling unable to relax in silence.
Chronic pain is another contributor. According to the VA, many veterans live with musculoskeletal injuries or nerve damage that makes it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. This ongoing pain not only disturbs rest but also compounds feelings of frustration and fatigue. Tools like the VA’s Pain Coach app offer support, but for many, pain management and sleep go hand-in-hand.
Then there’s the issue of shift work and irregular schedules. Active duty often requires round-the-clock operations, rotating sleep shifts, or night patrols. These patterns disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, and many veterans report years of poor sleep habits that persist long after discharge.
Insomnia and PTSD: A Two-Way Street
One of the most common—and most disruptive—sleep disorders among veterans is insomnia, which often walks hand-in-hand with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For those living with PTSD, the brain remains in a state of heightened alertness long after the danger has passed. This leads to a condition known as hyperarousal, where the body is constantly bracing for threat—even in sleep. Nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and night sweats keep veterans trapped in a cycle of exhaustion and anxiety.
The National Center for PTSD explains that this connection creates a dangerous feedback loop: poor sleep worsens PTSD symptoms, and worsening PTSD disrupts sleep even further. Unfortunately, many veterans resign themselves to this cycle, thinking it's something they just have to live with. But help does exist. One of the most effective treatments is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a structured, non-medication-based approach that has been adapted for veterans. The CBT-i Coach app, developed by the VA, gives veterans an accessible way to retrain their sleep habits right from their phones.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The Hidden Threat
Beyond insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is another serious sleep disorder facing the veteran population. OSA causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, often without the individual being aware. This results in oxygen deprivation, increased heart strain, and long-term health risks like stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Veterans diagnosed with OSA often experience extreme daytime fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration—all of which can interfere with work, parenting, or rehabilitation efforts.
What’s especially alarming is how quickly OSA diagnoses have surged. According to VA research, OSA cases among veterans increased by more than 400% between 2012 and 2018. This isn’t just due to better diagnostics; it’s a reflection of lifestyle risk factors compounded by service—such as exposure to burn pits, weight gain after discharge, and long-term medication use. Thankfully, the VA has expanded access to home-based sleep testing and treatment options like CPAP machines, helping veterans manage this condition in a less intrusive way.
The “Night Watch” Effect: When Hypervigilance Follows You Home
Another often-overlooked cause of disrupted sleep is a lingering sense of “night watch”—a mental habit where veterans remain on alert long after their service ends. Whether it’s waking at the slightest sound or needing to scan a room before relaxing, these conditioned responses make it incredibly difficult to settle into a restful night’s sleep.
Hypervigilance is a learned survival mechanism during active duty, but in the quiet of civilian life, it becomes a roadblock to peace. Even in safe environments, many veterans report waking multiple times during the night, checking locks or simply feeling uneasy in the dark. These behaviors, while rooted in protection, erode the quality and consistency of sleep and can contribute to feelings of isolation or emotional burnout.
Sleep Deprivation’s Ripple Effect on Veteran Health
When sleep suffers, the entire body pays the price. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic sleep deprivation is closely linked to a range of health problems—including heart disease, depression, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes. For veterans already facing multiple service-related conditions, lack of sleep acts as an accelerant, worsening both mental and physical health.
Sleep deprivation also impairs judgment and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents and substance misuse. In fact, many veterans struggling with insomnia turn to alcohol or over-the-counter sleep aids to force rest, which only exacerbates the problem in the long run.
Evidence-Based Treatments That Work
The good news is that sleep problems don’t have to be a lifelong battle. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has invested heavily in tools and therapies to help veterans reclaim restful sleep. One of the most effective options is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which helps veterans identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors around sleep. Unlike sleep medications, CBT-I offers long-term improvement by retraining the brain and body to work together for better rest.
For those who prefer digital tools, the VA offers the CBT-i Coach app, a self-guided program that includes relaxation techniques, sleep tracking, and personalized guidance. Veterans can use it at home, on their own time, or alongside care from a VA provider. For many, this app is a low-barrier way to take control of sleep without added pressure or stigma.
The VA’s Whole Health approach also supports a more holistic path to better rest. Programs like yoga, tai chi, guided imagery, and acupuncture are all being used to reduce stress and improve sleep outcomes. For veterans who may not respond well to traditional clinical therapy, these options provide a much-needed alternative.
A Practical Sleep Hygiene Toolkit
In addition to formal treatment, adopting consistent sleep hygiene can make a real difference. The VA recommends a number of habits that support healthy sleep, many of which are available in their Healthy Sleep handout. Some key tips include:
These small but consistent changes can signal to the brain that it's time to rest, helping veterans ease into a more stable sleep cycle over time.
Tech and Telehealth Make a Difference
Innovations in sleep health are making it easier for veterans to access care—especially in rural or underserved areas. Wearable devices and sleep trackers are now being studied in VA research programs to assess REM cycles, oxygen levels, and movement throughout the night. These tools not only empower veterans with information but also help providers tailor treatment more effectively.
In many cases, veterans don’t need to travel far for answers. The VA’s growing telehealth network now includes sleep clinics that offer consults, diagnostic testing, and treatment plans entirely online. This flexibility allows veterans to receive care without the burden of commuting, scheduling disruptions, or long wait times.
Support Starts at Home
Finally, it’s important to recognize that better sleep doesn’t happen in isolation. Families, caregivers, and communities play a powerful role in supporting veterans. Encouraging routines, reducing nighttime disruptions, and offering emotional support can help veterans feel safe enough to let their guard down and truly rest.
If you’re a family member, don’t underestimate the value of empathy and understanding. Asking how a veteran slept, helping build a consistent routine, or simply acknowledging their challenges can open the door to healing.
Conclusion: No Veteran Should Struggle Alone
At Warriors Fund, we believe sleep is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. When veterans are deprived of rest, their entire lives are impacted. By bringing attention to this issue and connecting veterans with trusted, evidence-based resources, we hope to support pathways toward true recovery and long-term wellness.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sleep after service, take the first step: explore the tools available, reach out to a provider, or simply start the conversation. No veteran should face sleepless nights alone—because every warrior deserves peace at home.
