There’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep. It can set us up perfectly for the day ahead and provide us with a positive mental attitude and keep you being you.
However, for millions of people across the world, that’s a lot easier said than done. Sleep deprivation and insomnia is a real problem, particularly at present with the likes of a cost of living crisis, climate crisis and the war in Ukraine, but there are so many other factors that could be affecting your sleep too.
But what is it that could be affecting your sleep?
Many of us are hooked to our screens these days, whether it be our smartphone or television. And you may not be aware of the damage that can cause.
Blue light insomnia is a real problem, with devices emitting a blue light that suppresses melatonin, which is a sleep enduring hormone.
Even watching television three to four hours before bedtime can delay the production of melatonin, which in turn will delay your ability to nod off and get a good night’s sleep.
A large problem for many is alcohol-induced insomnia, and many alcoholics suffer badly with sleep deprivation due to their addiction.
An addiction detox and going to an addiction treatment center for alcohol addiction is key to solving this problem, as while alcohol may feel like it helps for you to hit the hay, studies have shown that alcohol leads to a lighter and more fragmented sleep as well as decreasing sleep quality, which means you won’t be feeling as fresh when you wake up as you would with a night’s sleep without alcohol in the system.
It’s a problem many face and one of the more common forms of insomnia, as the events from the day, and everything else you are worried about coming to the forefront of your thoughts when you’re alone in a dark room.
It may even be that you get off to sleep fine but wake in the early hours, unable to rid yourself of anxiety and preventing you getting back to sleep.
Professional help can be key in solving this, with cognitive behavioural therapy helping to manage and deal with such thoughts.
Naturally, if you have caffeine before going to bed, it’s only going to lead to a night struggling to sleep.
Most people do avoid drinking coffee directly before going to bed, but there are other products that contain it too which you may not be. Chocolate, Coca Cola, iced teas and many other things we may consume later in the day all contain caffeine, that can have a knock on effect for sleeping.
Think about your intake of caffeine products and at the time of day you have them, and if you’re struggling to sleep, adjust your routine and the times you consume them to see if that helps.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.
