Causes Of Insomnia – What Causes Insomnia?

Knowing the causes of insomnia can help you to better understand your sleep problem.

There is no single cause of insomnia, rather it can be a combination of factors which are to blame. This article looks at some of the contributing factors which are stopping you from enjoying a good nights sleep.

1.Caffeine. If you are like me, you probably drink lots of cups of tea or coffee through the day. That’s fine in itself, but the problem with caffeine is that it is a drug which can keep you, and me, awake at night. And don’t think you can get away with eating a bar of chocolate or drinking coca cola in the late evening either, as both of these contain caffeine. Some energy drinks also contain caffeine, and if in doubt, check the label of the product first.

From my own experience, I stop taking drinks containing caffeine after the late afternoon, and then I know I won’t have any problems getting good sleep.

2. Alcohol. Some of us may have believed at some time in our lives, that alcohol can help us get a good nights sleep. That is a fallacy, because it usually results in a poor quality of sleep, with vivid dreams, and waking up because of the need for the toilet.

3. Foods rich in magnesium, such as bananas, nuts, seeds, pulses, prunes and garlic can stop us getting to sleep.

4. Sugary snacks eaten too close to bedtime cause a rise in the blood sugar level which then tapers off during the night and ends up waking you up.

5. Health related causes. These are pain, which can be long and short term, and illness. Pain at night is frequently associated with a pain in the back. Illnesses of various kind can also keep us awake at night, and it is advisable to consult a doctor if you are unwell and unable to get to sleep because of your illness.

6. Restless legs syndrome. This is a compulsion to move the legs in bed, and there are various symptoms associated with this condition. Again it is best to talk to a doctor if you suffer from this condition.

7. Smoking. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a stimulant, and they will keep you awake.

8. Medicines. Some medicines and drugs stimulate the nervous system, making it harder to get to sleep.

9. Shift work. If you work at night, you are going against your normal body rhythm of sleeping at night and being awake during the day.

10. Lack of exercise. Sometimes it can be hard to get to sleep because you have not had enough physical exercise during the day.

11. Lack of daylight. Your body needs daylight so that it knows when to sleep and when to be awake. Exposure to bright daylight lets your body know it is daytime, and this helps improve the cycle of sleep and wakefulness.

These are just some causes of insomnia. Insomnia is a complicated subject, involving any number of issues which can stop us getting to sleep.

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