Facts on Causes Of Insomnia

1. It's All in Your Head

Stress is the leading reason for insomnia. Relationship, financial, work or family issues may lead to sleep problems. If you are susceptible to stress, then you are much more likely to suffer from insomnia. Unfortunately, it is often a snowball effect. The more you worry about not sleeping and the harder you try to rest, the more likely you will be wide awake due to a stimulated brain. The most likely combatant of stress-induced insomnia is relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.

2. Make Some Lifestyle Changes

The use of drugs and stimulants can cause insomnia. Caffeine right before bedtime, cigarettes, drugs for colds and allergies, painkillers or nightcaps may cause you to wake halfway through the night. If you disrupt your sleep patterns due to irregular work hours or social time on the weekends, it can cause major disruptions with sleep. An inactive lifestyle can cause insomnia as well. If you sit at a desk all day and sit on the couch at night, you probably have trouble sleeping. Watching too much TV can also cause insomnia.

3. Surroundings Can Disturb Sleep

Too much background noise can cause disturbances in sleep. This can come from traffic, television or airplanes. Any amount of light may keep you awake as well, even if it's only a blinking light on your DVD player or a nightlight. If you can't stop these disturbances, try using a sleeping mask or earplugs. Try a peaceful sounds CD.

4. Blame an Illness

A wide variety of physical and psychological illnesses can be to blame for insomnia. Illnesses like the cold or flu or pain from injury can keep someone awake. Insomnia is a very common symptom of depression. Respiratory diseases can keep a person from relaxing enough to sleep. Arthritis, or anything causing chronic pain, can cause chronic insomnia as well. Acid reflux disease can even cause sleep disturbances.

5. It Could Be Temporary

If a temporary sickness is keeping you awake, it could be short-lived. Many sources of stress and worry are also temporary. Changes in lifestyle or schedule may cause sleeping problems only while adjusting. Traveling may cause temporary sleep problems, as will changes in diet. Try to wait it out a few weeks to see if sleep problems fix themselves before seeing a doctor. Don't use sleep aids which may only perpetuate the problem.