0 Items
619-260-8000 (866-35-SLEEP) Info@GentleHome.com

The Five Biggest Causes of Insomnia

The Art of Sleep

As many as 35% of people show at least brief signs of insomnia. Your body needs sleep. It is how you replenish yourself after a long day. When you do not rest enough, your quality of life may decrease. Insomniacs frequently report fatigue, loss of ability to concentrate, and poor memory. These factors often combine into mood disturbances, low energy, and increased errors or accidents.

Insomnia robs you of your ability to achieve your potential. An employee loses as many as eight days of work performance in a year. It has a significant impact on your day to day life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 100,000 accidents and 1,500 deaths happen due to drowsy driving. As part of our service to you, we have written an article about the five most common causes of insomnia.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders affect 18.1% of Americans. When people are anxious about what might happen on the next day, they tend to sleep poorly. Psychological struggles make it hard to sleep, and have been known to cause further mood and hormone changes.

This disorder is treatable. There are medications that treat anxious feelings. In addition, there are therapies, mind-body techniques, and sleep practices that improve sleep. Anxiety is associated both with the inability to go to sleep, as well as the lack of continued sleep.

Chronic Pain

Discomfort and pain of any kind disrupts your sleep. Arthritis is one of the most common illnesses in Americans, and pain in the joints has been known to keep people up. According to a Sleep Foundation study, only 36% of people who exhibit chronic pain say that they get a good or very good rest at night.

To make matters worse, poor sleep has a tendency to make the pain that is already there worse. If you are suffering from insomnia due to chronic pain, it is wise to visit a doctor who specializes in pain as well as visiting a doctor who specializes in sleep.

Eating and Drinking Habits

We understand if you like to have a cup of coffee after dinner. You should know that it may be robbing you of sleep. Cutting out caffeine a minimum of 6 hours before you go to sleep is recommended. Be careful of unusual sources of caffeine, such as chocolate.

In addition, be wary of alcohol. It may be useful to help you sleep initially, but chances are it will wake you up later. Additionally, a large meal before sleep may be unwise. Heartburn will cause you to stay awake. Your digestive system will be hard at work, and that may tax your body too much.

Allergies

This is a big one. At that time of the year, your eyes become bright red and your nose runs like the San Diego River. Sleep disorders and allergies are related to each other. There is medicine for many different forms of allergies, and adhering to good sleeping habits may help you fall asleep.

Family History

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, individuals who suffer from insomnia are more likely to report a first-degree relative who also suffers from insomnia. If you think you have insomnia, it may prove smart to ask around a little bit.

If you have any questions about sleeping, the experts at Mattress World and Al Davis Furniture will help you out. Our friendly, personable, and highly knowledgeable staff will assist in any way they can. Come visit us today.