Have trouble falling asleep?
Insomnia is a condition when you experience complete or partial loss of sleep. Those suffering from the condition end to sleep only for 1-3 hours every night.
Sandhya Porecha, a general practitioner, says the condition is a result of stress or substance abuse. "It may be genetic in rare cases and the sleep deprivation, may take a major toll on health," she adds.
Anxious?
Anxiousness may cause temporary insomnia. According to Porecha, this happens when you are expecting or preparing for some event.
These could be important events in a persons life like their board exams, university graduation or the night before their wedding. "The adrenaline produced due to anxiety does not allow the mind to rest," she explains.
What it could lead to…
Chronic insomnia, is prolonged sleep loss that lasts over a few months or even years. The most common causes are drugs, irregular sleeping patterns or stress.People suffering from this have trouble sleeping for more than an hour or two.
"This causes muscle fatigue or even hallucinations in some extreme cases. While some patients of are able to get by without sleeping, others are sleepy but unable to rest their minds," says Porecha.
Help yourself
Many people believe in taking tranquilisers or sedatives. According to Porecha these are only short-term solutions.
Chronic insomnia needs proper therapeutic cure. Temporary insomnia though is easier to treat. Porecha suggests the following ways to beat it.
1. Take a warm shower before bedtime: A warm water batch slows down blood circulation. This helps your mind and body relax and helps you sleep better.
2. Avoid reading or watching TV before bedtime: Reading and watching the TV require concentration. This is especially true if you're watching a suspense movie or reading a thriller. It aggravates the mind, leading to anxiety and sleeplessness.
3. Proper eating habits: Avoid eating spicy food especially for dinner. Make sure you finish dinner at least two hours before you go to bed. Eating too close to bed time may interfere in the digestion process and cause uneasiness. This can lead to disturbed sleep.
4. Meditation: This is a great way to beat stress and anxiety. It relaxes the mind and thus ensures sound sleep.
5. Cut down on caffeine: Caffeine stimulates your brain. Therefore, consuming caffeine close to bed-time can interfere with sound sleep.
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