Even though it is logical, many people tend to forget that tossing and turning over your bed may be a sign of another underlying problem. Insomnia is in fact the most common sleep disorder. Precisely speaking, more than one in three adults suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. However, if it becomes a chronic condition, insomnia is considered a sleep disorder and a potential sign of a deeper issue.
Hence, let’s have a look at some common reasons keeping you awake at night:
- Feeling Anxious about Falling Asleep
First and foremost, you have to try not to fall into this trap and vicious cycle. Feeling anxious about falling asleep will only increase the amount of time you need to fall asleep. That said, stop forcing yourself to sleep, and go to bed only when you feel sleepy.
- Having an Unusual Sleep Schedule
If you regularly travel across time zones for work or do shifts, the chances that you experience insomnia are pretty high. The major issue here is the circadian misalignment, i.e. trying to sleep at times that aren’t in accordance with your internal body clock.
- You’re Constantly Stressed Out
Being stressed to the max due to a challenging work schedule, high debt, looking after kids or sick parents, etc., in turn, you will certainly experience sleep issues. Indeed, chronic stress increases adrenaline and cortisol levels in your blood and blocks your ability to relax.
- You Suffer from a Mental Health Condition
Next, suffering from a psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), may contribute to developing insomnia due to the changes your body experiences as a result of the disorder.
- You Have another Health Condition
Insomnia can be triggered by many health issues including other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or narcolepsy, chronic pain caused by arthritis, headaches, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, hormone fluctuations due to thyroid disease, or even Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.
- You are Taking Certain Medications or Drugs
If you are taking stimulants, a possible side effect of these drugs may be insomnia as they stimulate a release of specific neurotransmitters that impede the ability to fall and stay asleep. Other insomnia causes may include some medications used to treat ADHD, depression, high blood pressure, asthma, allergy or cold, or Parkinson’s disease,
- You Have Sleep-Disrupting Habits
What’s more, following sleep-disrupting habits can also contribute to developing insomnia. Some common poor sleep hygiene practices and bad habits include staying in bed too long, taking naps, not getting enough exercise, not following a strict sleep schedule, using screens before bedtime or in bed, and many more.
- Inadequate Sleep Environment
Finally, sometimes your sleep space is to blame, though it isn’t the root cause of insomnia. But, a poor sleep environment can make it even more challenging to fall asleep in the first place and get a good night’s sleep. Hence, try sleeping in a dark and cool bedroom, reduce background noises, and get a comfortable mattress, pillow, and sheets.
Now that you know the common reasons keeping you awake at night, ensure you consult your doctor if you recognize that you are experiencing one or some of them, especially if you are constantly getting less than six hours of sleep per night or experience extreme daytime sleepiness or fatigue.