Lack of sleep is something that plagues people everywhere. Almost everyone you talk to will complain about feeling tired. Not getting a good night’s sleep, or struggling to get to sleep, can be a real pain. There is a medical condition for struggling with sleep, it’s called insomnia. People who suffer from insomnia spend their nights staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. No matter how many sheep they count, they can’t get to sleep. Until eventually their eyes shut and then within a couple of hours their alarm goes up. So they have to start the day with very little rest, which can lead to problems.
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So what causes insomnia?
Insomnia is caused by a number of different things. If you’re suffering from insomnia then looking at this list can help you. You should be able to identify what is causing your lack of sleep, and see how to help with it.
Anxiety
Suffering from anxiety is a common cause of insomnia. Feeling anxious means your mind is uneasy, and you cannot rest. You’re too busy being worried or focussed on one thing. Students usually suffer from anxiety driven insomnia because of their constant workload. They’re worried about exams and assignments, so stay up at night panicking. To deal with anxiety, you should try to relax and think positively. Positive thinking is the best way to get rid of anxiety and sleep better.
Stress
Stress is linked to anxiety but is slightly different. New mothers are likely to suffer from stress because of the change in lifestyle. They’re constantly caring for a newborn baby, and all the work is getting to them. To combat stress, you need to relax. Try relaxation techniques before bed, like meditation or yoga. You could even join a local yoga class. Going to yoga classes is a great way to deal with stress and relax.
Alcohol
Regularly drinking lots of alcohol can lead to insomnia. Too much alcohol consumption is directly linked to illnesses like insomnia. Chemicals in alcohol effect your body’s sleep cycle and lead irregular sleeping patterns. If you’re drinking too much alcohol you should check yourself into rehab or a ‘sober home’. Sober homes, like A Fresh Start to Sober Living, aim to help alcoholics beat their addiction. Getting free from alcohol abuse will help you sleep better at night.
Depression
Depression is a serious mental illness and a huge cause of insomnia. People often think being depressed just means you’re really sad. It doesn’t. Being depressed means you’re suffering mentally, it’s a completely different feeling. Depression can keep many people up at night, and needs to be treated. Too many people die as a result of depression because they don’t get help. If you’re depressed then ask someone for help, talk to someone you trust. There are institutions that help people deal with depression too. Checking in to one of these can help you recover from this illness.
To deal with insomnia, you have to know what’s causing it. It can be a serious problem, or just something minor that passes. Find out what’s stopping you from sleeping, and then look at dealing with it. Only then can you start having healthy nights of sleep again.
