Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for our health. But as you get older, you might notice that it gets harder for you to actually fall asleep.
Insomnia is pretty common among adults, but you become at higher risk for it when you reach middle age. This is why older adults are more likely to have insomnia and sleeping issues.
But if you struggle with insomnia, there’s no reason to panic. Not only is this a common condition, but it’s one that you can fix at home. This article will take a look at what insomnia is, what causes it, and a few solutions you can try out at home.
And before you know it, you’ll be getting a full night’s rest consistently. Read on to learn more.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleeping disorder that makes it hard for people to fall asleep or stay asleep. There are many ways people experience insomnia. Some find it impossible to fall asleep at night while others might fall asleep and wake up really early, finding it hard to fall back asleep.
Everyone has their own sleep schedule that works for their body. However, adults are recommended to get between 7-9 hours of sleep at night to prepare them for the next day.
Some people may experience insomnia when stressed or after a traumatic event. This can last for days, but it’s pretty common for it to last a couple of weeks. There are even some people that develop chronic insomnia that have sleep issues for months on end.
And while insomnia can cause some trouble, there are ways to get better sleep and beat insomnia. To do that, you first need to learn what causes insomnia in the first place.
Is Insomnia Worse When You Hit Your Middle Ages?
While you can experience insomnia at any age, adults in their middle ages, between 40-60 years old, are at a higher risk of developing insomnia. Additionally, middle-aged adults are also at higher risk for sleepless leg syndrome, which may also impact the quality of sleep they get at night.
So, even if you’ve never experienced insomnia before, there’s a chance you can develop it as you get older. This is why it’s important to keep regular tabs on your health as you get older to get to the bottom of problems before they become more significant.
Common Causes of Insomnia
There are times when insomnia is the primary sleeping problem that you experience. However, it can also be a symptom of another issue, which is why it’s best to see a specialist if you feel like you have insomnia.
The most common cause of insomnia in adults is stress. When our bodies are stressed out, it can be harder to sleep. Insomnia can be caused by work and school stress. However, it can also result from a traumatic and very stressful event in a person’s life.
Another common cause of insomnia is poor sleep habits. If you have a habit of taking long naps in the afternoon, staying up late at night, and spending many hours in front of a screen, you might risk developing insomnia as well.
While these are the most common causes of insomnia, there are many things that cause this sleeping disorder. Here’s a quick list of some of the other things that can cause insomnia:
● Eating too much in the evening
● Mental health issues like depression and anxiety
● Insomnia could be a side effect of your medication
● Other sleep disorders
● Consuming too much caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
Solutions for Insomnia
Insomnia can get in the way of our overall health. This is why those that struggle with insomnia may want to tackle it right away. There are many ways to handle insomnia at home, which can make it easier for some people.
Here are a couple of things you can do to get better sleep at night if you struggle with insomnia.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best remedies for insomnia. On top of that, regular exercise is great for your body and can result in numerous health benefits. So, if you’re having a hard time sleeping at night, you might want to incorporate exercise into your schedule.
Any exercise throughout the day can help you get better sleep at night. For example, if you go for a run or lift weights a couple of times a week, it might result in a more consistent and deeper sleep.
The best part of using exercise to help with your insomnia is that you can exercise as much as your body tells you. You can build an exercise routine that works for your body and schedule. And once it becomes a regular part of your life, you’ll feel the difference of regular and consistent exercise.
Develop Good Sleeping Habits
As mentioned earlier, having poor sleeping habits is a major cause of insomnia. This is why we highly suggest developing better sleeping habits. You can do this by reducing screen time in the evening, eating just enough before sleep, or even getting a new bed.
A great way to improve your sleep hygiene is to get a bed right for you. You can opt for an adjustable bed, so you can tweak your position until you feel comfortable. This is also great for people who enjoy reading in bed as it reduces the strain on your back and neck.
Take Control of the Lights
You might not notice it, but the lighting conditions can make a huge difference when you sleep. So, if you want to get better sleep, we recommend dimming the lights in the evening so that your body knows that it’s time to get some rest.
Conclusion
Sleep is very important. But as you get older, you’re at higher risk of developing insomnia. This can be caused by stress, your work schedule, or poor sleeping habits. And while insomnia can be difficult to deal with, there are some solutions you can try for yourself at home.
So, if you’re not getting the sleep you deserve, feel free to try out the methods above. And if symptoms persist, you may want to consider calling a specialist and asking for help.
