The Sleep Council say of those who get less than 5 hours of sleep per night, 21% live with depression and 17% with anxiety. It can be a vicious cycle that the more sleepiness nights are endured, then the more a person may suffer with these conditions.
Almost everyone will suffer with sleeping problems at some point in their lives. The point at which these problems turn into insomnia will differ for everyone. Some people will be able to break the cycle and return to regular sleep patterns, others will find themselves trapped in a cycle of insomnia.
Insomnia manifests itself in a number of ways. It could be finding it difficult to actually get to sleep at night, regularly waking through the night and not being able to fall back a sleep again, or even very short bursts of fitful sleep.
Common causes of insomnia are issues like; stress, pressure, anxiety and depression, which can gradually creep up on us. We tend to overthink and worry at night and this leads to this cycle of sleeplessness and insomnia.
The good news is that there are a number of steps that can be taken to combat insomnia. Those facing this problem should consider changing their bedtime routine; switch off tech well before bedtime, and relax properly before going to bed. Simple breathing and meditation exercises can help to calm bedtime anxieties. Keeping the bedroom warm, comfortable and free from noise and light can also help.
In fact there are many steps that can be take to help. Of course if insomnia does persist then it is always best to see your doctor. But a few simple changes of routine might be enough to get you back on track to a good nights sleep!
