Sleeplessness Is Not A Situation, It Is A Condition!
Suffering from a serious lack of sleep? Don’t think of it as a passing situation. If you have been having sleepless nights for a rather long time, it is time you realize that something is wrong, and you need to fix it before it gets too late.
What Is Sleeplessness?
Sleeplessness, as the name suggests, is the condition wherein it gets difficult for your body to sleep well, or fall asleep in the first place.
Sleeplessness – A Major Concern
Sleeplessness not only makes you grumpy all through the next day but also less energetic and drained out. You find yourself yearning for an opportunity to relax and fall asleep. But the harder you try the sleep, the more it tends to evade. This becomes a vicious circle and before you know it, you have become an insomniac.
Insomnia is becoming an increasingly common condition worldwide. Surprisingly, a whopping 25% of the world population confesses to suffering from insomnia, with a staggering six percent experiencing chronic insomnia.
Why Is Sleep So Important
One cannot stress enough on the importance of a good night’s sleep. It keeps us up, about and active all day long. It is good for our overall health. When we sleep, it is not just the body that is at rest. The mind also gets a break from the rut.
Causes Of Sleeplessness
Various factors could contribute to the problem of sleeplessness. Stress and anxiety continue to remain on top of the list, apart from poor sleeping habits of course.
Other causes include a lack of everyday physical activity, poor and unhealthy eating choices, a sedentary lifestyle, etc. Existence of a chronic ailment such as hypertension, kidney disease, chronic pain, etc. might also cause you to sleep insufficient. Certain medications could also be secretly contributing to the problem of sleeplessness.
Symptoms And Warning Signs
Physical Symptoms
Dark under-eye circles, baggy eyes, dull and tired-looking skin are just some of the problems we experience when we have not been sleeping too well. Also, it tends to makes one feel drained.
Psychological Symptoms
Mood swings, irritability, drowsiness, aggressiveness, etc. are some typical symptoms of a lack of sleep. The same condition, over a while, can make your life go upside down and significantly affect your quality of life.
Not only that, a persistent problem of sleeplessness could also
– Seriously affect your brain function, learning and memory
– Bring down immunity level
– Mess around with the hormones
– Contribute to weight gain
– shorten lifespan owing to safety concerns
– Create certain symptoms of Attention Deficiency Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
Some Practical Solutions
We all need a good amount of quality sleep, and that’s every day, day after day. Experts recommend that it is important for adults to at least sleep for about 5-7 hours straight to remain sane. Listed below are some simple yet practical tips that might help! Read on.
– Try to include exercise in your everyday routine, work up your body and break a sweat.
– Avoid products containing caffeine during the latter part of the day, such as coffee, tea, chocolates, etc. instead, go for a nice warm glass of milk at bedtime. You can also try sipping on some chamomile tea.
– Take only brief daytime naps, if required.
– Disconnect! Make sure to turn off your TV, laptop or mobile phones about half an hour before you hit the bed.
– Keep yourself calm and stress-free to fall asleep quicker and better
– You might want to try listening to relaxing music, and dimming the lights a little while you prep to sleep.
– You can also try aromatherapy as it helps you relax, both physically and mentally
– Practicing yoga and meditation increases mindfulness, which increases your chances of being calm and being able to sleep better
Please note that those who don’t follow a healthy sleeping routine, are especially more likely to experience bouts of sleeplessness. So make sure to follow a consistent sleeping routine, and attune your body accordingly.
Take Home Message
We all have grown up hearing this saying – Early to bed and early to rise, makes a person healthy, happy and wise. Paying heed to your internal clock does pay off! So do not underestimate the importance of a good sleep. Someone has rightly said – “A good laugh and a long sleep are two best cures for anything!”
Watch Video: Ayurveda Tips For Insomnia (Loss Of Sleep)
About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Dr Sonica Krishan’s Books are available at Amazon
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