Why Can’t I Sleep?
An inability to fall asleep at night or an inability to stay asleep is known as insomnia. When it becomes an ongoing, nearly nightly problem, it is known as chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia will greatly affect your mood and daily life, and can eventually lead to more serious health concerns. For that reason, narrowing down the cause of your insomnia is the first step to solving it.
There are a surprising number of things that you may be doing during the day that are having an impact on your ability to fall or stay asleep at night. Ask yourself the following questions and consider if any of them might be connected to your insomnia:
– How much screen time (TV, computer, smart phone, or tablet) are you getting in the hours leading up to bed? Studies have shown that the bright lights from electronics mimic sunlight in our brains which don’t allow the brain waves that naturally begin when it gets dark to start until after the screen is turned off.
– How long before going to bed are you drinking caffeinated beverages including soda, coffee, and tea? Even small amounts of caffeine can affect you when it comes time to sleep. Experts recommend avoiding any caffeine for at least 6 hours before you want to sleep
– How often are you exercising? One of the causes of insomnia is a lack of tiredness in the body. By exercising regularly, you will tire out your body and release a number of stress hormones which can also cause insomnia. Even going for a 10 – 15 minute walk in the evening can help your body relax and sleep better at night.
– What is your work schedule like? People who work night shifts or have an irregular schedule often have more problems with insomnia than people who keep regular work hours.
If your insomnia is sporadic, then it may be caused by one of the above causes and can easily be solved by making a few small lifestyle changes. However, if your insomnia comes from some deep psychological factors, choosing not to have that coffee with dinner will not change anything. Ask yourself these questions to determine if your insomnia is psychological:
– Do you have a lot of stress in your life? Stress, anxiety, and worry all cause increased levels of adrenaline because they activate your body’s “fight or flight” mechanism. Higher levels of adrenaline make it incredibly difficult to fall and stay asleep.
– Have you had a traumatic experience or loss recently? The loss of a loved one or any number of other emotionally difficult situations can cause sleeplessness. If your insomnia started shortly after a traumatic experience, that could be the cause. In many cases, this will fade over time, but if you continue to have trouble sleeping, you may need to seek professional help to deal with this experience.
There are also several medical problems that could also be causing your insomnia. If you have so far been unable to narrow down the cause of your insomnia, it may be time to go to your doctor to find out if there is a medical problem at the root. Here are several medical problems that can cause insomnia:
– Sleep apnea, which is when your upper airways become blocked, stopping your breathing momentarily and waking you up throughout the night.
– Restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS, is an achy, tingly, or strange sensation felt in your legs which cause you to be unable to relax or fall asleep.
– Sleeping disorders, which vary in severity and cause, may be diagnosed by undergoing sleeping exams which examine the electrical impulses in your brain as well as the neuro-chemicals which may be out of balance.
Medications for Insomnia
There are a number of medications on the market today that can help you depending on the cause of your insomnia. One of the best places to look for any type of medication is pillsforall, who can help supply you with the pills that you need to get a good night’s r