Figuring Out the Causes of Insomnia

As disturbing and problematic as it can be, insomnia is quite common. The side effects of lost sleep are far reaching on physical and emotional levels. This article explores various causes of insomnia and what you can do about them. You might find that a daily diary of activities and habits help you pinpoint why you're having trouble sleeping.

While some people have trouble sleeping because they don't get enough exercise, if you so something too strenuous or stimulating close to bedtime, this can also cause insomnia. Going to the gym and having a vigorous workout is good for you. But, doing this just before bed is not a good idea. Your body needs time to cool down. A strenuous workout may make it hard to sleep. Similarly, any activity that puts you in a very alert or excited state, such as video games, action movies or animated discussions can make sleep difficult. In general, you should gradually wind down as the night progresses so that by the time you're ready for bed you're in a relaxed state. Try reading, meditation or a gentle type of exercise such as tai chi before bed. You will want to don a nice pair of lindberg eyeglasses to concentrate the whole strategy. Many people have more trouble sleeping as they get older. One reason for this is that the body naturally produces less melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, as you get older. Some people find that taking a melatonin supplement can help with this, but not everyone agrees that these are helpful or safe. Older people are also more likely to be taking medications for various health problems, and these can sometimes interfere with sleep. On the other hand, it is also believed by some health experts that you need less sleep as you age. Older people who are having trouble sleeping should ask their doctor's advice if they are having trouble sleeping.

There are several possible causes of insomnia in women, such as premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, menopause and menstruation. As you can tell from this list, women are susceptible to insomnia at just about every point in their lives, which is why this problem affects more women than men. While the above are natural causes of insomnia, if it's a severe problem for you, your doctor may be able to recommend some kind of medication to help with it. If you're pregnant, of course, you have to check to make sure any medication is safe. Some women, as well as men, may also be suffering from insomnia for other, non-medical reasons, but women should at least consider these reasons to at least rule them out.

In conclusion, insomnia has many causes, and if this is a problem for you it's important to find out why. Not getting enough sleep can adversely affect your life in many ways, so you don't want to ignore this. We've looked at some common causes of insomnia, but sometimes there are other causes as well. Once you understand why you're having trouble sleeping, you can make the necessary changes or get the proper treatment.