Insomnia can have many causes. Health issues, diet and stress are often the main reasons. If it becomes a persistent problem it is important to get a health check from your doctor. If there are physical components they may be able to help you, send you to a specialist, maybe prescribe some short term medication to get you back on an even keel again.
Often stress is found to be a major factor in sleeping problems. Many people are very busy, overloaded with work issues, trying to prove their worth, keep on top of their assorted responsibilities. As companies are regularly assessing their overheads staff are frequently being asked to take on more and more work, and are often in fear of their jobs’ security.
Coping with one stressful area of life can be manageable if the other areas of life are secure and fairly comfortable. If another area of life becomes problematic then it can all become too much stress to cope with. If there are family problems, health, children or relationship issues as well as work that needs full attention then a person can start to feel the cracks in their coping mechanisms. If there is no respite from stress, no time to relax and enjoy some quiet time then sleep can be one area that suffers.
People who are seriously under strain may also become irritable and short tempered. Their concentration may suffer as well as their health. Some people start to get headaches, blurred vision, nausea. All these are recognised symptoms of stress. In total there are reported to be over three hundred and sixty symptoms of stress, anxiety and tension so there are many ways that it can manifest itself !
Remedies for better sleep can include:
- Many people find that they are mentally tired, but physically restless, or vice versa. If the mind is required to work hard but the body gets little exercise then consider taking up some regular exercise and look on it as personal time. Half an hour walking or a quick swim can make all the difference if it is done regularly. Similarly, if the body is tired but the mind gets little exercise consider doing some regular mental exercise, like reading, quizes, puzzles.
- Look at diet. Eating late, or having heavy, spicy meals or regular junk food snacks and ready processed meals can overload the digestive system and impact on sleep and the quality of sleep. Eating a healthier, more balanced diet and at an earlier time can improve the bodys commitment to a restful nights sleep.
- Easy on the booze. Some spirits affect dreams, making sleep disturbed and fitful. This can result in feeling groggy and unrested the following day.
- Allow breaks throughout the day. Stop for lunch, go outside for thirty minutes to read or take a short walk in-between periods of work. This allows the mind and the body to slow down or even stop at different times during the day. It introduces a different, calmer pace, rather than constantly being on the go.
- Commit to winding down about two hours before bed. Avoid the horror film or the heavy rock music late at night. Have that serious conversation at an earlier time and when both people are in a better, more prepared frame of mind. Think of relaxing before bed, rather than finishing work and them immediately diving under the covers.
- Take a relaxing bath or shower. Wash away the days stresses.
- Make the bedroom a special haven of relaxation and comfort. Try and keep it free from too much clutter and electrical gadgetry.
- Clean sheets on the bed are always inviting and are high on many peoples lists of top comforts.
- A regular massage frees the body from stress and is a lovely way to ease tired muscles and relax. Ideally a massage once every week or two is an excellent way for stressed people to relax and ease those tensions. Similarly hypnotherapy helps teach techniques to cope with stress better, look out for any warning signs of stress beginning to escalate and learn ways to deal with it more constructively.
Susan Leigh, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist
www.lifestyletherapy.net