A restful night’s sleep is essential to maintaining good health. It helps the body and mind recover, strengthens the immune system, and lowers one’s blood pressure, among other benefits. Unfortunately, many people are unable to enjoy the positive effects of adequate sleep. Sleep loss is a highly prominent issue that millions of people struggle with each year. In fact, the majority of people in the United States experience issues falling and staying asleep at least once a week, according to Consumer Reports. To learn about why sleep loss is so prominent, take a look at these common reasons people have trouble sleeping.
Stress
One of the main reasons that people have trouble sleeping is stress. While stress can make you mentally and physically exhausted, it also makes it incredibly difficult to fall asleep. To make matters even more cruelly ironic, getting an ample amount of sleep can greatly reduce the stress that makes sleeping impossible for so many people.
For a person to fall asleep, their mind and body need to reach a relaxed state. As such, it’s important to create a wind-down routine that allows you to let go of the stresses of everyday life as much as possible. For example, you could quiet your mind by taking some time to meditate, do yoga, read, take a soothing bath, or do some other activity that you find relaxing.
Medical Conditions
Another common reason people have trouble sleeping is due to medical conditions. Certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain, heart disease, cancer, asthma, and diabetes, have all been linked to insomnia.
In many cases, the pain and discomfort created by such conditions make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. If you are having a hard time sleeping due to pain caused by a medical condition, talk to your doctor about potential solutions. In addition, you could also try natural pain remedies, such as CBD oil, that can help reduce inflammation and decrease pain by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Food and Drink Choices
Food and drink choices can also play a role in preventing many people from getting the amount of quality sleep they require. For example, eating too much can result in obesity, which is a common cause of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that keeps many people up at night. In addition to eating too much, the type of food one eats can also affect sleep. Spicy foods are known for causing heartburn, which can cause chest pains that make sleeping difficult.
Certain drinks can also make it challenging to sleep. Those struggling to fall or stay asleep should avoid consuming drinks containing caffeine or alcohol. Even if you drink caffeine in the morning, some of the caffeine from the drink could remain in your system by the time you want to go to bed, depending on how much you drank. As such, those who have trouble sleeping should try to avoid caffeinated beverages as much as possible.
