Sleep is one of the most important parts of our day. Without it, we aren’t able to operate at our best, and it may come at a cost to our health.

However, as we all know, getting enough sleep is not as easy as it sounds. It is recommended that a good night’s rest for the average adult is 7-9 hours.

Why You Still Struggle to Sleep Well?

struggle to sleep well

There are many reasons why people struggle to sleep. Here are 4 reasons that may be causing you to stay awake.

1. Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the most common problems that interrupt sleep in adults. People who have trouble falling asleep, wake up frequently during the night or in the morning most likely have insomnia.

Insomnia is usually caused by stress, anxiety, overthinking. This leads the brain being unable to shut off and try to sleep. Insomnia leads to day time fatigue, tiredness, and sleepiness.

2. Restless Leg Syndrome

People who have restless leg syndrome feel discomfort in the legs and feet during the evening and also during the night. They tend to feel the need to move their legs and feet with excessive and rhythmic movements during sleep to feel relief.

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This can delay sleep onset and cause brief awakening during sleep. Restless legs syndrome is a common problem among middle-aged and older adults.

3. Caffeine Consumption

As drinking coffee to shake off sleepiness in the morning has become a worldwide culture, we often tend to underestimate the effect it has on our sleep.

If you have too much caffeine in a day or too close to bedtime, this will deprive you of sleep. Those who have just adopted drinking coffee regularly will often notice they will have difficulty sleeping as they normally would.

4. Nightmares

Night terrors are not just common in children, but also in adults. They often come during the middle of the night while in deep sleep. They can cause stress, anger, fear, and feelings that may keep you up after experiencing them.

Nightmares are completely normal. They usually derive from previous past experiences that may stir negative emotions or traumatic experiences.

Negative Effects of Sleep Deprivation

struggle to sleep well

Sleep deprivation is a serious problem and more common than you think. Swedish retailer IKEA documented a study with 5,000 adults in the UAE and concluded that 90% believe they aren’t sleeping well.

A more concerning fact is that 32% of people in this study say that their average sleep lasts 6 hours. There are many reasons that can lead to sleep deprivation such as insomnia, stress or medical complications.

The negative effects of sleep deprivation:

  • Low energy in the day
  • Dizziness or headaches after waking up
  • Reduction in cognitive ability (perception, memory, critical thinking, judgment, etc.)
  • Tired/sore muscles and joints
  • High blood pressure
  • Stress/mood issues
  • Weakened immunity system
  • Weight gain
  • Risk of heart disease

Tips to Sleep Better at Night

struggle to sleep well

If you struggle to sleep at night or fail to get the rest that you desperately need, then here are a few tips to help you get better sleep in the night:

  • Don’t drink caffeine too late in the day. It may keep you up at night even if your body is tired.
  • Try to leave all stress including work, family and social problems off at a certain time. Unwind and relax before hitting the pillow. Or in other words, leave all your problems at the bedroom door.
  • Ensure your bedroom is a comfortable and peaceful environment. Adjust the temperature and prop pillows to ensure nothing will bother you during the night.
  • Avoid drinking or eating too much before bed. This may disturb your digestive system during the night.
  • Try to get all your work during the day done on time. Go to the gym, have dinner on time and prepare for your next day schedule well ahead of time. That way you won’t have anything to stress about once you’re ready to sleep.

If sleep deprivation is a problem in your personal life, try to avoid taking sleep medications without the advice of your doctor. If none of the above solutions seem to help, seeking the advice of your medical practitioner is the best idea.

Head over to the Okadoc app to immediately book an appointment with your health practitioner.