It’s the middle of the night and you’ve been staring at your ceiling in the dark for hours. This is the fifth night in a row like this, and you know you won’t be getting enough sleep before you head to work tomorrow. If you can relate to this, you’re in the company of over 14% of Americans.
You may be dealing with insomniac sleep issues. Insomnia can cause a lot of problems, but how do you know if you have it? Read on for some top signs.
- 1. Difficulty Falling Asleep
- 2. Frequent Awakening
- 3. Waking Up Too Early
- 4. Non-Restorative Sleep
- 5. Daytime Sleepiness and Fatigue
- 6. Irritability and Mood Disturbances
- 7. Cognitive Impairment
- 8. Increased Anxiety About Sleep
- 9. Dependency on Sleep Aids
- 10. Impact on Daily Functioning
- Insomniac Sleep Issues Are Challenging
1. Difficulty Falling Asleep
Insomnia often involves difficulty falling asleep. If you find yourself lying in bed for an extended period before being able to fall asleep, it may be a sign that you’re struggling with chronic or acute insomnia.
Insomnia doesn’t have to be a chronic condition. Even having a few nights during which you’re struggling to fall asleep for no apparent reason can mean that you have insomnia.
2. Frequent Awakening
Perhaps you can fall asleep without issue, but you’re struggling to stay asleep. That can also be insomnia! Sleep disruptions can really ruin your overall sleep quality and leave you feeling groggy and tired in the morning, even if you fall back asleep quickly.
People with insomnia may experience multiple random awakenings throughout the night. These awakenings can disrupt your normal sleep cycle, leading to fragmented and less restful sleep.
3. Waking Up Too Early
Waking up bright and early can be a good thing, but not if you haven’t gotten enough sleep! Not everyone has a schedule that accommodates early mornings, and if your mornings are too early for your liking and you’re waking up without an alarm clock, you might be dealing with insomnia.
People with insomnia may find it challenging to go back to sleep after waking up too early, especially if the sun is already up. This early morning awakening can result in insufficient total sleep duration. You’ll be far too tired the next morning.
4. Non-Restorative Sleep
Despite spending the recommended amount of time in bed, people with insomnia wake up feeling tired and not refreshed. What’s up with that?
Not all sleep is good sleep. Perhaps you never went through all of your sleep cycles as a result of your insomnia. The lack of restorative sleep contributes to daytime sleepiness, bad moods, fatigue, and more.
This can be especially frustrating because you may not know what the problem is at first if you’re getting a full eight hours of (bad) sleep.
5. Daytime Sleepiness and Fatigue
Chronic insomnia often leads to excessive daytime sleepiness. You may struggle to maintain your focus when you’re doing tasks, find yourself wanting a nap in the middle of the day, and experience brain fog.
Even if there are no other signs of insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness could still be an indicator. Of course, there are also other things that can cause this sleepiness, such as a medical condition or mental health condition.
6. Irritability and Mood Disturbances
The persistent lack of quality sleep can contribute to irritability, mood swings, and increased stress levels. Your regulation may be compromised, affecting relationships and overall mental health.
Everyone knows that if you don’t get enough sleep, you can wake up on the “wrong side of the bed” and spend all day feeling cranky. Some people may also find that they’re more likely to cry or feel sad when they haven’t gotten enough sleep.
If you’re struggling with your emotions for no obvious reason, a lack of quality rest may be the issue!
7. Cognitive Impairment
Insomnia can impair Your cognitive function. This can lead to difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making. This cognitive impairment can have consequences in various aspects of daily life.
People who work may find that their performance begins to suffer. This can even lead to serious accidents if you work a physical job! People who are in school may struggle with assignments more than usual.
In other words, your insomnia can have a serious impact on your life.
8. Increased Anxiety About Sleep
People with insomnia often develop anxiety about falling asleep. This anxiety creates a negative association with bedtime, making it even more challenging to relax and initiate sleep.
Have you ever gone to bed and tried so hard to sleep that it actually kept you awake? In situations like these, it’s sometimes better to get up and distract yourself with something else that isn’t too stimulating so you’re able to relax. Reading a book or doing slow yin yoga are great options for this.
9. Dependency on Sleep Aids
Chronic insomnia may lead individuals to rely on sleep aids or medications to facilitate sleep. Relying on medications that make you sleep isn’t always a good idea long-term, however.
While these medications may provide temporary relief, you can develop a dependence on them, and they may not address the underlying causes of insomnia. Always talk to a doctor about any long-term use of sleeping aids or stick to something mild you can get over-the-counter, like melatonin.
Don’t self-medicate for sleep with drugs or alcohol. While they may help you fall asleep, they’re not good for your sleep quality.
10. Impact on Daily Functioning
The cumulative effects of insomnia can significantly impact daily functioning. Work performance, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life may suffer.
People may find it challenging to engage fully in activities and maintain a sense of well-being.
This is the end result of all of the other signs of insomnia.
Insomniac Sleep Issues Are Challenging
If you find yourself struggling with insomniac sleep issues, it may be time to seek out help. Insomnia has many different potential causes, and getting to the root of the issue can help you finally get a good night’s sleep.
Medical doctors, psychiatrists, and even therapists can work with you to determine what’s keeping you up. Then they can offer solutions. You deserve a good night’s rest!
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