Headache attack. Sad frustrated millennial female spending time in bed lying in pillows touching forehead suffering from migraine fever insomnia feeling ill sick unhealthy waking up after bad dream
Source: Shutterstock
Our lives today are more stressful than ever. We’ve often got a lot on our minds, and turning that off to get some rest can be very difficult. Stress actually affects the hormones that your body is producing and activates your sympathetic nervous system. This will then cause you to wake up when you should be sleeping. Stress will also cause an increase in your body temperature and your heart rate. Normally when we sleep, both of these decrease. If they are too high, we won’t be able to rest. (2)
Stress can be both acute and chronic. It can be related to your job, relationships, family, and so many other things. If you are in a particularly stressful period with your work, you will likely find your sleepless nights will go away when that is over. Try using stress management techniques such as yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation to help calm your mind before bed. If your stress is chronic, talk to your doctor about stress management, who can help you make some lifestyle adjustments to better manage your stress, or who can refer you to a stress therapist.
Insomnia
asian man in bed suffering insomnia and sleep disorder thinking about his problem at night
Source: Shutterstock
Approximately 10% to 20% of the population suffers from insomnia. This is an actual diagnosable health condition that will require professional help to overcome. You might have insomnia if you are regularly having trouble either falling asleep or staying asleep. If you think you have insomnia, talk to your doctor who can help you find the right solution for you. (3)
Aging
Retired man seeing nightmares in his dreams, sleeping in ward of nursing home
Source: Shutterstock
Aging changes your sleep cycles, and typically as we age we have less of the deep sleep than we did before. This means that you spend more of the night in a lighter sleep and will be more sensitive to light and external noise. You’re also more likely to be on medications that can affect your sleep as you age. Again, talk to your doctor if you find sleeping is becoming more challenging as you get older. (4)
