1. Stress as a Major Cause of Insomnia
Stress is normal, and we all deal with it. What makes stress have such a huge impact on our lives is how we deal with it. Some people are able to compartmentalize their lives enough that work stress and home stress do not affect their ability to sleep. For others, however, it's more difficult to quiet the mind. Work stress, in particular, is identified as a major cause of insomnia and a number of other sleep disorders. The more you think about and internalize your stress, the harder it may become to fall asleep.
2. Illness as a Cause of Insomnia
Illness can sometimes be identified as a cause insomnia and other sleep disorders. When you are ill, your body may respond in ways designed to heal itself, but that can mean sleeping at odd hours and not necessarily at night. Minor illnesses like the common cold can force you to nap during the day, which throws off your sleep cycle. The medications that are prescribed for high blood pressure, asthma and depression can also negatively impact your sleep cycles.
3. Your Environment and Insomnia
Sometimes insomnia can be caused by even the slightest abnormality in your sleeping environment. If your spouse comes to bed and turns on the light to read, that can have a profound effect on your sleep cycle if you find yourself sensitive to light. Noise also plays a major role in the onset of insomnia. Living in a busy, bustling neighborhood that is loud 24 hours a day can make it difficult to fall asleep. Some regions have noise ordinances that help restrict noise pollution (near airports or major train terminals, for example), but it is still possible for loud sounds to occur well into the night. If you are awakened by loud noises or intruding light, you may have extreme difficulty falling asleep once more.
