5 Possible Reasons You’re Not Sleeping Well
Do you toss and turn at night, waiting for your eyes to get heavy enough to drift off? Once you do manage to fall asleep, do you wake up throughout the night or experience restlessness?
Quality sleep is essential for your overall well-being, but issues like the ones we just described are incredibly common. Fortunately, there are easy, practical ways to address the most common sleep issues. Read on to discover some possible reasons you’re not sleeping well and what you can try for solutions.
You’re Too Stressed
When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that keeps you alert. Though low levels of stress can dissipate once you reach the comforting embrace of your bed, chronic or temporarily high levels of stress can keep you wide awake.
To address this issue, evaluate what in your life is contributing to your anxiety. Is work extra busy and demanding at the moment? Are you dealing with relationship troubles? Is there something about your health you can’t get off your mind? All of these issues and more could prevent sleep.
Once you have an idea of your stressors, do your best to eliminate them. Take time off, see a therapist, go to a doctor, or do whatever else will help. Additionally, try adding meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness exercises into your evening routine.
Your Body Is in Pain
Pain can be a significant barrier to restful sleep. Whether it’s chronic pain or temporary discomfort, your body’s constant unease can keep you awake.
For this issue, speak with a healthcare professional about managing your pain. At the same time, treat your body kindly and explore gentle exercise for improved well-being. For example, certain Pilates exercises can help you sleep better by engaging your body in healing movement.
Your Room Isn’t Relaxing
The environment where you sleep plays a huge role in your sleep quality. A cluttered, noisy, or brightly lit room can prevent you from falling into a deep slumber.
Though everyone prefers different environments, here are some changes that benefit most people:
Buy blackout curtains
Ensure adequate ventilation
Get a humidifier (or dehumidifier, depending on your climate)
Consider a white-noise machine
Use comfortable, breathable bedding
Additionally, check that your room isn’t causing mental or physical distress throughout the day that will disrupt your bedtime. For example, your bedroom’s lighting could be disrupting your circadian rhythm. Specialized LED lighting can improve sleep patterns, so it might be worth updating your bulbs.
Likewise, a cluttered space is stressful and mentally exhausting. If your room is causing you anxiety throughout the day, it won’t magically become a haven for restful sleep at night. Keep your room tidy so that it is always a sanctuary for you.
Your Diet Is Lacking
Health starts from within, which is why poor diet is often the culprit behind thousands of health concerns, including poor sleep. A diet rich in protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats is what studies have shown to be best for quality sleep.
Furthermore, consuming heavy meals, caffeine, or sugary foods close to bedtime can lead to sleep disturbances.
You Have a Condition
Sometimes, underlying health conditions can be at fault. Sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea can severely disrupt your sleep cycle, even if you’re doing everything else right for restful slumber.
If you suspect you might have a sleep-related condition, consult with a medical professional to explore diagnosis and treatment options.
Investing in your sleep is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Therefore, if any of these possible reasons you’re not sleeping well seem like they could be relevant to you, don’t wait to make changes.