Insomnia is more common than you think. At least half of the population has, at some time, suffered from some form of insomnia. Identifying causes of your insomnia can help you determine if you are suffering from the short term or the long term condition. Help yourself to get the sleep you need.
Causes of transient insomnia are things that are more habitual or environmental and can be changed with self discipline. Decreasing or eliminating these external factors can reduce your occurrence of insomnia:
Caffeine found in energy drinks, coffee, and cola are known to suppress fatigue while boosting alertness, decreasing the ability to fall and stay asleep.
People who drink alcohol seem to sleep, but it is not the deep sleep they need. Alcohol actually contributes to your lack of sleep. If you are looking for a restful night of zzz’s don’t drink alcohol.
Smoking contributes to insomnia. Smokers have a harder time falling asleep than non-smokers due to the levels of nicotine, which is a stimulant, in their bodies.
Sights and sounds can cause insomnia. Leaving lights or the television on can prevent you from falling asleep. Use a sleep mask or close your curtains and blinds to fall asleep and stay asleep.
We all do our best to avoid it but stress can take a toll on our sleep patterns. Worrying about finances, family, and work contribute to incidents of insomnia. Find ways to deal with your stress through counseling or confiding in a friend. Your efforts will return your sleep patterns to normal.
Traveling interrupts your sleep patterns. Driving during the day or flying the “red eye” flight keeps us awake when we are usually sleeping. While on vacation concentrate on keeping sleep routines as close as possible to the way you sleep at home.
Long-term, or chronic insomnia, is caused by:
Fragmented breathing caused by sleep apnea causes frequent waking. Sleep apnea is dangerous and it is very important to see a doctor if sleep apnea is a problem.
Involuntary conditions like Restless Leg Syndrome, or simply RLS. It is the feeling that something is crawling on or up your legs while you sleep. Because your legs are constantly moving, you find it hard to relax and have difficulty sleeping. See a doctor for treatment options.
One symptom of depression is difficulty sleeping. Other emotional disorders have sleeplessness as a symptom. See a doctor to treat the underlying cause of the sleep problems.
There are ways to overcome insomnia naturally and these should always be tried before resorting to sleeping pills.
Tags: mental health, beauty, Wellness, self improvement
