Problems Sleeping and Waking Up
We have all experienced it at some time or another. You fall into bed exhausted and look forward to a good night’s sleep but it just doesn’t happen. There seems to be no logical reason for it but it’s happened countless millions of people and is usually just one of those things and nothing to worry about as normal sleep patterns are soon resumed.
But if falling asleep and, consequently, having difficulty waking up is a regular occurrence it is probably time to investigate possible medical or psychological problems.
Stress
Probably the biggest cause of restless nights is stress. Whether it is work-related or personal, stress and worry disrupts more nights sleep than any physical ailments. Even if you are not aware of any particular cause and are usually a carefree sort of person, underlying and unconsidered concerns often surface when the body is at rest and often without us knowing why or what it is that is causing our sleep to be disrupted.
Unless we can get to the root cause of the problem, getting to sleep at night will remain a problem and can quickly deteriorate into a vicious circle as disrupted sleep patterns and waking up tired becomes a habit and has detrimental effects on our physical and mental health.
Getting rid of stress is not easy and all the more difficult if you’re not sure of the root cause. Examine your lifestyle, both personal and professional, to see which situations or people might be causing the problem. Even little things can be enough to trigger minor stress which, in turn, can affect the quality of your sleep.
Insomnia
Unlike a number of people who allegedly suffer from insomnia but in fact only dream that they are awake, insomnia is a genuine cause of sleepless nights and has many possible causes including stress. Caffeine intake, medications, mental or physical conditions and even jet-lag are all causes of insomnia and you should be aware of the signs associated with the condition.
- Problems going to sleep or going back to sleep
- Constantly waking up during the night
- Feeling tired in the morning despite a “sufficient” night’s sleep
- Needing to take medication or pills to help you sleep
- Feeling tired and drained during the day
The good news for insomnia sufferers is that it can often be cured with simple changes in lifestyle. Exercise and diet are key components to combating insomnia, as is a regular sleeping routine and cutting down on tea and coffee. If a change of routine doesn’t work, it may be time to consider medical alternatives.
Numerous Causes for Sleeping Problems
There are numerous reasons for disrupted sleep patterns and most can be easily treated and cured. If you have persistent problems sleeping and waking up, a visit to your local doctor will most likely sort out the problem, and fairly quickly, using a range of prescription medications.
Sleep is vital to our general well-being and lack of sleep, or disrupted sleep, quickly leads to decreased energy levels as well as lower immune levels in the body. Most sleeping disorders can be cured easily and safely and it’s time to look forward once more to a pleasant night’s sleep instead of dreading every bedtime.
