What Causes Insomnia?

 Common Causes of Insomnia (and How to Fight Them)

Insomnia is frustrating, and it can feel like you're fighting a losing battle. You toss and turn all night, trying to will yourself to sleep, but it feels like the harder you try the further away sleep seems. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone; according to the National Sleep Foundation, 30% of adults experience symptoms of insomnia at least a few nights a week.

The causes of insomnia are many and varied, but thankfully there are also a number of things you can do to combat it. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most common causes of insomnia and what you can do to get a good night's sleep.

One of the most common causes of insomnia is stress. In our fast-paced world, it's hard to switch off at the end of the day and relax. Our minds are constantly going, running through everything we have to do tomorrow or worrying about that thing we said in that meeting last week. It's no wonder we can't fall asleep!

There are a number of things you can do to combat stress-induced insomnia. One is to create a simple bedtime routine for yourself and stick to it as much as possible. This might involve taking a relaxing bath, reading for half an hour before bed, or writing down everything that's on your mind so you can forget about it until morning. Experiment until you find something that works for you and helps you relax.

Another common cause of insomnia is caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, so it's no surprise that it can make it difficult to fall asleep. If you're struggling with insomnia, it might be worth cutting back on caffeine or switching to decaf altogether. This includes not just coffee but also tea, chocolate, and energy drinks. Caffeine has a half-life of around five hours, so if you drink caffeine late in the day it could be interfering with your sleep.

Finally, one other common cause of insomnia is light exposure before bedtime. The blue light emitted by electronic screens—including phones, laptops, and TVs—can interfere with our bodies natural production of melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy. If you're having trouble sleeping, try avoiding screens for at least an hour before bedtime (which might be easier said than done!). Alternatively, there are now glasses available that filter out blue light, which could help if you can't avoid screens altogether.

If you're struggling with insomnia, there are a number of things you can try in order to get a good night's sleep. Start by looking at your stress levels and caffeine intake; both can have a big impact on sleep quality. You should also try avoiding screens before bed; the blue light they emit can interfere with melatonin production and make it harder to fall asleep. With some trial and error, hopefully, you'll find something that works for you and helps banish those sleepless nights!