Having Trouble Sleeping
Are you having trouble sleeping? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, the CDC states that 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep, and this can have plenty of negative side effects. Some people know what’s keeping them awake at night. Others may not have a clue why they are having trouble sleeping. If you’re struggling with insomnia, here are a few causes that could be keeping you awake.
What’s Keeping You Awake
Diet
Your diet actually plays a very big role in all aspects of your life, so this also means your sleep habits. If you’re not eating right or your diet consists of a lot of sugary foods, then it may be a good idea for you to find something new to try.
Many people looking to cut out carbs and sugar prefer the Keto Diet since snacking on things like gourmet beef jerky doesn’t have the same caffeine-fueled effects as candy, breads, or chips. If you are looking for a way to get healthy and get a good night’s sleep, making changes to your diet can help.
- Change to an all-natural diet like Keto or Paleo
- Avoid eating or drinking after 7 pm
- Avoid caffeinated foods or beverages during the day
Medication
If you are taking regular medications, this could be why you’re having trouble sleeping. Some medications include caffeine and are known to make it difficult to sleep. Talk with your doctor to see if there’s an alternative medication you can be put on. If your medicine is keeping you awake, you might need to ask your doctor if you need to take something to help you sleep. Sometimes your doctor may simply suggest taking the medication in the morning instead of at night to see if that helps. Just be sure to talk with your doctor before making any drastic changes to your medication.
Stress
Most people know that stress can have a huge influence on their sleep. If you are even slightly stressed, you might be having trouble sleeping. Stress can come from lots of different things, and the best way to handle it is to find healthy ways to manage your stress. For some people, this means doing some exercise, talking to a therapist, or just carving some time out for yourself. The more you can handle your stress, the better chance you’ll have at falling asleep.
Depression
Many people assume that those with depression just sleep all day, but this isn’t true. In fact, many people who suffer from depression actually have a hard time falling asleep. If you have been diagnosed with depression, know this could be keeping you awake. However, if you are having trouble sleeping and have not been diagnosed with depression, it may be a good idea to have this conversation with your doctor.
Bad Mattress
Sometimes people assume that their insomnia has to do with stress or diet, but sometimes it could just be your mattress. If you’re sleeping on a bad mattress, you definitely could be having trouble sleeping. If being uncomfortable at night is keeping you awake, then you likely need to choose a new mattress. After all, not everyone needs the same type of mattress. Some people prefer a hard mattress, and some prefer pillow soft. If you have an old mattress or if you’re simply not getting a good night’s sleep, maybe it’s time to invest in a new one.
Surroundings
Sometimes the reason for your insomnia is simple: there’s something around you that’s keeping you awake.
Noise
For instance, if you live near a busy intersection, maybe the noise of traffic is keeping you from sleeping. If your lack of sleep is due to noise, try to use noise cancelling headphones or sleep sounds to help you tune those noises out.
Light
If it’s something else to do with your surroundings, such as too much light, then try to find a solution for the problem, like black-out curtains.
While you may not be able to control everything in your surroundings, doing what you can to get a good night’s sleep can help.
There are too many risks involved with not getting enough sleep, so if you find that you are struggling to stay awake throughout the day and having trouble sleeping at night, determine if one of the things on this list is your issue. Talk with your loved ones or your doctors to see what’s keeping you awake, and then fix it.
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