What Causes Insomnia? 6 Tips to Help You Get to Sleep

Some people find difficulty falling or staying asleep. While it’s perfectly normal to experience such difficulties from time to time, having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at least three times per week for months tells a different story. If you usually experience sleepless nights, you may be suffering from insomnia. Read on to learn what you need to know about the condition, what you can do to avoid the problem, and how a leading mattress store in Johns Creek can help you get a better night’s sleep.

Insomnia 101: Key Facts and Figures

A lot of Americans have insomnia. In fact, approximately one in every four Americans experience acute insomnia per year while up to 10% are likely to suffer from chronic insomnia, making it the most common sleep problem in the country today.

Types of Insomnia

There are basically two types of insomnia – primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. The former refers to sleep problems that are not related to any other health conditions while the latter pertains to insomnia resulting from health conditions such as asthma, arthritis, cancer, heartburn, hyperthyroidism, mental health issues (anxiety and depression), pain, substance abuse, medications, and/or other sleep disorders (sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, etc.).

Symptoms

How do you know if you have insomnia? You probably have it if you experience the following symptoms:

• · Difficulty falling asleep, no matter how tired you are.
• · Waking up in the middle of the night and having trouble getting back to sleep.
• · Waking up earlier than planned and not feeling rested or refreshed after a night’s sleep.
• · Daytime tiredness, sleepiness, or sluggishness.
• · Difficulty concentrating throughout the day.
• · Unexplained irritability and grumpiness.

Should you be concerned? Yes, you probably should. It’s time to seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms for more than four weeks, especially if they start to interfere with your daytime activities and impair your ability to function.

Complications

Since sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being, not getting enough rest can have serious health consequences. It can:

• · increase the risk and severity of health conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease;
• · put you at risk of experiencing mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse;
• · negatively affect performance at school or on the job;
• · cause daytime drowsiness which may slow down your reaction time while driving and put you at a higher risk of falls and accidents.

Some Important Statistics · Insomnia is more common in older people (30% to 48% of seniors may be affected by insomnia) but it may also affect up to 23.8% of teenagers and more than 50% (some studies suggest up to 80%) of pregnant women.

• · The condition may be hereditary since 35% of people with insomnia reported that they have a family history of the condition.
• · 27% of working women suffer from insomnia while only 20% of working men experience the same symptoms.
• · The US economy loses more than $63 billion per year due to absences, reduced work productivity, and work-related accidents resulting from the condition.
• · Insomnia is associated with impaired driving performance and is one of the leading factors of road accidents. · 9 in 10 people claimed that a comfortable mattress and pillows contribute to a good night’s sleep.

6 Tips to Prevent Insomnia: What You Should and Shouldn’t Do

Do:

1. Get regular exercise. Studies suggest that moderate aerobic exercise promotes deep sleep, although some people experience the opposite effect. If this happens, don’t work out too close to bedtime. Staying active during the day also helps a lot.

2. Follow a sleep routine. Do things that relax your body and mind before going to bed, whether it may be taking a warm bath, reading a favorite book, or listening to soothing music. Go to sleep and wake up at the same each day and avoid taking naps, especially late in the day.

3. Make your bedroom comfortable. Nothing promotes a good night’s sleep better than a relaxing environment so make your bedroom as quiet, cool, and comfortable as you possibly can. Set the right temperature (not too hot nor too cold), use blackout curtains or wear a sleeping mask to block outside light, and use a white noise machine or wear earplugs to keep noise from disturbing your sleep. More importantly, have the right bed, mattress, and pillows that meet your needs. If you have problems finding these, you can visit our mattress store in Johns Creek and we’ll help you get what you need.

Don’t:

1. Eat heavy meals before bedtime. It would be better if you’ll eat earlier in the evening. Also avoid eating rich, spicy, or acidic foods before going to bed.

2. Use alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Having a drink or two can help you fall asleep but it may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night. Also, avoid caffeine and nicotine at least six hours before bedtime since these substances are considered stimulants.

3. Drink too many liquids. Don’t drink anything at least an hour before your scheduled bedtime to reduce the chances and frequency of waking up during the night to go to the bathroom.

Leading Mattress Store in Johns Creek Can Help You Win the War Against Insomnia

Sometimes, a comfortable, high-quality mattress is all it takes to prevent insomnia. At Fred’s Beds, we have everything you need for a good night’s sleep – for less! Visit our mattress clearance center in Cumming, GA or call us at 770-628-5875 today. We promise you’ll get the best deal on your dream mattress without paying a fortune!

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