Youth Incorporated Magazine

Sleep deprivation or the inability to sleep is called insomnia. This is a common condition in which a person cannot sleep despite feeling asleep. The sleeping hours of every age group are different. Children need to sleep at least 9 to 13 hours a day. An adult needs at least 8 hours of sleep per day. After a long day of work, you need to sleep to give rest to your nerves and body. 

Types of insomnia

There are basically two types of insomnia i.e short-term insomnia and long-term insomnia. 

1. Short-term insomnia

When you are unable to sleep for less than three months then that is called short=term insomnia. 

2. Long-term insomnia

When you have trouble sleeping for more than three months then it is long-term insomnia and needs professional assistance to revive your sleep pattern. 

Symptoms

There are many red flags to identify whether you have insomnia or not. The following signs may tell you a lot about it. 

• Difficulty in sleeping
• You wake up early in the morning and cannot go back to sleep
• Waking up multiple times during the night
• Despite feeling tired, you cannot sleep during the day
• Mood swings and irritable behavior
• Lack of concentration

All these signs can be managed well by making small changes in your lifestyle. 

Causes

There are a number of factors that are responsible for disturbing the sleep cycle. 

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Unsuitable environment to sleep
• Homesickness
• Alcohol or caffeine
• Long working hours

Diagnosis

You can seek help from your doctor. Before paying a visit to your doctor, it is better to document your sleeping pattern in a journal. Jot down your waking episodes or any event that caused this sleeping disorder. In this way, your doctor will better analyze the whole situation and diagnosis will become easy. 

Treatment

There is no hard and fast rule to improve your sleeping pattern. You can make minor changing in your sleeping habits. 

1. Create a comfortable environment in your room

If lights trigger your sleeping pattern, you must switch off the lights and make your room darker by closing windows and curtains to eliminate any natural light coming from outside. 

2. Take sleeping aids

Some medicines are available in the market which help your body and nerves relax. Some medicines contain soothing natural ingredients like valerian or lavender which help make you sleep better. These medicines must be taken on the proper consultation with a pharmacist. You can get these medicines at discounted rates from PricePro Pharmacy.

3. Increased physical activity

Taking part in physical activities makes your body tired and leaves room for rest. When you feel tired, your body needs rest that can only be fulfilled by getting a sufficient amount of sleep. A good workout session makes you feel energetic throughout the day and improves your sleeping pattern. 

4. Sleep on fluffy pillows and mattress

Fluffy pillows make your body comfortable. You can easily sleep on them. A good mattress is another requirement to get a good night’s sleep.