Trouble Sleeping?  Common Causes and Solutions

It seems like everyone around you is telling you that you need more sleep, and of course you know theyre right.  However, you spend most nights tossing and turning, counting down the time before you have to get out of bed and start your day exhausted again. Youre not the only one. Many people have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. There are several problems that can cause you to have trouble sleeping. Here are some common causes and what you can do to counteract them.  

One of the simplest reasons you may have trouble sleeping is because youre not comfortable.  You have to create an environment thats conducive to restful sleep. This means that your mattress should be comfortable with a firmness that suits you. The same goes for your pillows and your bedding. You also need to get rid of any distractions, so dont sleep with music or the TV playing. If your room is still noisy, you might think about wearing ear plugs to mute the noise. You should also block any light thats coming in at night.  Another good tip is to turn your thermostat down at night. Many people can sleep better when the room is cooler. 

Another common reason you could have problems sleeping is constantly going over your to-do list in your mind.   If you want to get to sleep, you have to quiet your mind.  This can take a while to do, but it is possible.  You might try getting into the habit of writing everything thats in your head down on paper before you go to bed.  This can help to get it out of your mind.  If thoughts keep popping into your head after you lie down, keep a small notebook near by and jot them down quickly.  After you do this for a while, you should start to notice fewer thoughts interrupting your sleep at night.

Stress and anxiety can play a large role in your lack of sleep.   If youre stressed throughout the day, its hard to just forget about everything and go to sleep.  The best way to combat stress at night is to find ways to relieve it during the day.  If you want to get a good nights rest, you have to find ways to lower your stress level.  You can try some deep breathing techniques, meditation, or even exercise.  It doesnt matter what you do.  You just have to find something that will relax you before you head off to bed. 

Finally, you could also be having trouble sleeping due to health or medical issues.  You should talk to your doctor if you think you have any type of sleeping disorder. You should also let them know about any medical conditions like snoring or injuries that are affecting your sleep. It can be difficult to sleep if youre experiencing pain.   Even slight pain can interfere with resting.   Your doctor should be able to help you or at least recommend something that will help you sleep better.