We’ve all had trouble getting to sleep at night, a hard time staying asleep or we wake up in the middle of the night and find it hard to get back into the rhythm of our dreams. In general, this is short-lived and we can get on with our daily lives, albeit a little more tired than usual.
For some people though, it can be a regular occurrence – even daily. And this is when it can really start to impact our everyday life. Insomnia, as this is known, is one of the most common sleep disorders. To anyone who is living with it, knowing you’re not alone is nice, but doesn’t make the lack of sleep any easier.
So, what exactly causes insomnia and what can you do about it?
Causes Of Insomnia
There are several reasons why you might be having trouble sleeping at night. It could be that you’ve just changed jobs and your usual sleep schedule has been interrupted. You may nap too much during the day and find it harder to sleep at night, or it could be that TV or reading is keeping you awake at night. These are the simplest causes. The more complex reasons you might be having trouble with sleep can include certain medications, chemotherapy and radiation, hormonal therapy, pain, hot flashes; it could be that you have a personal or family history of insomnia, or you are living with depression or anxiety. Women are also more prone to insomnia than men.
Treatment Options
There are a few things you can do that may help relieve your insomnia, including the following:
- Create a routine for bedtime
- No watching TV, using electronics in bed
- No reading or eating in bed
- Avoid napping, particularly after 3pm
- Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate
- Have a warm glass of milk or chamomile tea
- Avoid coffee, smoking or alcohol for at least 6hrs prior to bed
- Get plenty of exercise
Professional & Natural Treatment
If the above remedies don’t work, you may seek advice from your medical professional. They are likely to then treat the causes behind the insomnia, such as depression and pain. You may be prescribed medication that could help get you to sleep for temporary relief, you could obtain over-the-counter sleep aids that generally include antihistamines, or you may wish to try something like melatonin spray or valerian which can assist you to relax. Psychotherapy is another fantastic option that delves into WHY you’re not sleeping, rather than simply helping you get to sleep.
When Should You See A Professional?
We recommend that if you’re having trouble with sleep, you should first try to change your habits, as mentioned above. If you still have trouble getting to and staying asleep, or if the insomnia is having a detrimental impact on your mood, overall health and ability to do your day-to-day living, get some assistance.
If you need assistance with insomnia, get in touch with our professional team today and we’ll have you sleeping more peacefully in no time.