By definition, insomnia is ‘habitual sleeplessness or an inability to sleep.’ The words seem harmless, but the condition definitely isn’t. Imagine nights of staring at the clock, exhausted but unable to get any sleep. It can strike anybody, at any time and lead to major health issues, including depression. Yet, few of us know enough about the condition to protect ourselves. For many of us, insomnia is one of those distant things that happen to other people. Is it any wonder, then, that it can floor us completely?
Like with any health-related issue, the best way to avoid the problem is to know more about it. For one; what causes insomnia? You can’t take steps towards prevention without knowing. The bad news is, this is a tricky issue. Many factors could cause problems, and there are different forms of insomnia. All you can really do, then, is find out a little about each. It’s worth mentioning that underlying issues often cause this problem. If you start suffering from an excessive inability to sleep for no clear reason, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor.
But, sometimes there is a cause. Insomnia often occurs due to pain. How can you shut down and sleep when your brain is dealing with excessive amounts of discomfort? It may be that you have an underlying health condition, such as a back problem. Or, perhaps your mattress itself is too uncomfortable to sleep on. If you wake up often in the night, this is something worth considering.
To solve the problem, invest in a few sleep aids. Something like the latex mattresses mentioned on this site will help with back pain and other such conditions. Think, too, about whether your pillows are the right height for you. Small things like this make a huge difference. If the problem persists, visit a doctor and see about pain relief.
Stress and anxiety also seem to be forerunners in the insomnia battle. It makes sense; if you’re stressed, you won’t be able to shut off. We’ve all experienced sleeplessness when we’ve had a big meeting coming up. Yet, we wouldn’t call that insomnia. But, if it lasts for more than a few nights, there may be a problem. There are steps you can take to tackle the issue. Even if you haven’t been suffering from sleeplessness, it’s worth taking these steps if you have a stressful time ahead. Prevention is better than cure, right?
First, give yourself time to unwind before bed. When we’re stressed about something, we tend to immerse ourselves in it. If you have a meeting coming, the chances are that you’ll look at the presentation until the moment you turn out the lights. Don’t do it. Put everything aside at least an hour before bed and give yourself some downtime.
During this period, it might be worth taking up meditation or gentle yoga practice. These are fantastic for stilling the mind and will be just the trick for getting you in a sleep-like state.
Great blog Christy! I could relate to so many of the articles!
Good post. I think it’s also important to focus on getting the right mindset to insomnia (as well as correcting the sleep hygiene factors). For many people insomnia become a fear in itself. I’ve tried to write a short piece about this over here
Wonderful hints to tackle insomnia – it’s astonishing how widespread a problem this is once you start talking to people about it. I find having a notebook by my bedside table to jot down those last minute ideas does help…otherwise I’ll lie awake trying to make sure I remember them!
Thanks for this post. I believe that it will help in many cases but the resent research has found out that some people’s biological organism fabricates very little amount of melatonin so that the regular sleeping habits are almost impossible. I have suffered from insomnia during my whole life and quite often I wonder how I am still alive at age of 65. When this is the starting point, life should be very, very peaceful, almost a state where doesn’t happen anything at all. In some period of my life when I have been depressed I have slept better because I haven’t been interested in anything much.
Read more about this at my post mi padre era un gitano at the bottom of the page
All the best to you
YR
I would say sleep with nothing occupying your mind, as if you are fully content in life.
Yoga certainly helps, and I can say it from personal experience. Meditation is an icing on the cake, if one can do it properly ☺️
I hope you find ways to be restful, Alok. May sleep find you soon :)
Thank you 😊
I know how insomnia can take away your sleep. It really sucks. Sometyms all yu wanna do is just to get some sleep. And when thatbdoesnt happen everything gets fucked up the whole day. Nywyz. Nyc read. 😃
Bring on the sleep, bring on the good days after the rest :)
True. I wish i could say the same.😇
But cant get any sleep at all.
Awww sorry to hear that, Amal. I hope that rest finds you soon
Thanks😘
Lol wait til menopause gets you, sleep becomes a luxury. But there are many natural products and herbs that can be helpful. :)
Oh yes I’m sure I’ll be looking for natural products when it comes to menopause. Thanks Debby for looking out for me :)
You know where to find me when the dragons come out. :) xxx
Ooooh!! ;) Happy Sunday, Debby! Thanks again xx
Lol :) xx
Oh dear.. I fear I did when I was about five years old……… It is just something I live with xxx
Well you appear to be doing fantastic on little sleep, I don’t know how you do it!! xx
Aw my darling, you are too kind. I am just used to it is all xx
Great post!!! Insomnia comes and goes out of my life at will. I have not been sleepless since January. I find yoga is a useful relaxation tool at the end of a busy day.
How nice to hear that you’re welcoming yoga into your life Lydia. The last link in this post is to a nighttime yoga routine, just in case it appeals to you. I’ve found a lot of great fitness videos online :)
I seem to love every post you create! I have been struggling with insomnia for over 15 years… it seems like every time I find something that works for a little something just snaps and poof, it no longer works. It’s so hard to explain. I feel like I live off of 3-4 hours of sleep a night if that. I am going to reblog this one too! :-D I feel like I should start paying you or something lol.
Insomnia IS my life.
But wait, what about movies? They have to fit into your life too ;)
love your writing, sleep is truely a gift from God! sleepless nights are the longest night!
Sleeping and feeling rested the next morning is an amazing feeling! Thank you, Siam
Too late for me. Insomnia has been squatting for over 11 years now. Fibromyalgia….brought it a long with chronic fatigue and etc.
I hope you find restful periods xx
Post menopausal women often have insomnia, which can lead to memory loss, irritability and brain fog. It can also cause deterioration in the immune system and general health. It really can take a toll on a body!
Thanks Eliza for sharing about menopause and sleep. Debby here in the comments also noted that. I’ll find out one day!
Interesting post, Christy. I’ve known many people who suffer from insomnia. Some seem to suffer just short term bouts which are stress related while others suffer for years. I’ve had insomnia on and off over the years and I know that worry and anxiety are the cause of it. Thankfully they don’t last too long. Sleeplessness that goes on and on must be so hard to live with. You’re right in saying that the cause needs dealing with.
Yes, I’m thankful to be sleeping very well these days. Knock on wood, as the saying goes. Thanks Millie for sharing your own experiences. Stress really can play a role – it can wreak havoc in so many area of our lives. Hugs
Again one great post from you. Hats off to you Christy
Thank you, Shyamal. I enjoyed your latest post!
Thanks for this post. Actually, I’ve been dealing with Insomnia and there’ll be day I’ll get 3-5 hrs of sleep or 10-15 hrs…
*days
It sounds like the exhaustion is accounting for those longer 10-15 hour sleeps
Yup, that’s it. I’ve even avoided coffee for a month now. It’s really a challenge.
I honestly cannot even begin to explain to you how much I needed to read this. I suffered from insomnia during a particularly difficult time and I managed to work my way around it without medication but I can feel it gradually creeping up on me again, I will study this religiously😂 THANK YOU!
Oh how that makes me happy! Knowing a post helps someone is a true gift for a writer. Do take care xx
This is a good post, Christy. I’ve had my battles with insomnia. Not fun. One trick I learned was not to let my worry about the problem lead to more insomnia.
That’s a good tip. I also keep a pad of paper beside my bed and if a thought comes to me I write it down. To release it from my brain. Basically we both taught ourselves not to overthink, I think ;)
I think so. Great minds think alike. 😉
:) :)
Hi Christy…
Interesting post and certainly one we all need to look at.
Years ago I worked all kinds of shift work which is hard on the body’s natural rhythms. Toss in SAD or seasonal related time shifts, from basically 24/7 hours of daylight then have the complete opposite of 3-4 hours of daylight in the winter months. Your sleep soon turns into a high speed wreck.
One thing I have done this past while is avoid computer or TV screens before bed. I have gotten to the point like you say of shutting everything down an hour or so before bed.
I seem to go through periods but in the end settle on a sufficient sleep as a whole…
Hugs as always
It’s true about shutting down the technology before bed.. it really works! Occasionally I do read an ebook but then I get so tired and drop it, haha.. I know you’ve had struggled with sleep Rolly so I’m glad you came here… glad you found it insightful and I do wish you a great sleep tonight. Hugs!
Good advice Christy
Thank you. I hope your Friday is a wonderful one :)
Great post Christy :) I suffered with insomnia for 10 years until about a year ago when it mysteriously vanished! Yay for sleep!! :)
Wow it went away *snap* just like that? I’m happy for you! Three cheers for sleep, yes :) Thanks for taking time here, my friend!
Your posts, Christy, on health are truly interesting and very much appreciated! :)
I’m glad to hear that, Carol! I am enjoying regular blogging. My next book is coming along too. I hope you’re doing well. I was still thinking about your inspiration post long after I read it xx