Causes of Insomnia

The causes of insomnia vary from person to person and can be broken into three categories: Physical, Psychological and Temporary. In some cases there is a combination of factors causing insomnia.

Physical causes such as allergies, asthma, heart disease and high blood pressure are common medical problems which can disturb sleep. During normal sleep the body reduces in temperature, this aids the acceleration into sleep.

It is common for women to suffer from restless and sleepless nights during menstruation because the body’s temperature increases. It is also why during hot summer nights people often complain of sleepless nights.

A cool room is important for a good nights sleep. In fact having a cool shower in the summer can accelerate the drift into sleep. Another option during the winter is to have a hot bath an hour or so before bed. Although the initial rise in temperature invigorates the body and mind, the drop in temperature as the body cools accelerates the drift into sleep.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the sufferer temporarily stops breathing during sleep. Physical pain such as a backache or even a headache can often be the culprit. However, often these pains are the result of psychological causes.

Psychological causes such as anxiety, is a common problem. We all suffer anxiety from time to time. Triggers can be from financial worries, relationships or work related issues. We may experience feelings of helplessness, tension, fear, nervousness and worry.

Stress is another common problem which we all consider to be part of daily life. However it’s important to deal with both anxiety and stress quickly and effectively. Ignoring the body’s signal that we are under too much stress or anxiety is unhealthy for the body and mind.

Stressful experiences and negative reactions to those experiences can become ingrained into our psyche. These factors can lead to negative behavior patterns which are difficult to change and break out of, especially when we can not learn to cope with life’s stresses.

Stress is an overproduction of adrenalin and other hormones, when these hormones are not expelled quick enough we may experience a spike. This can cause damage to our mental and physical state of being. For us to expel these stress hormones we need to allow the body to engage in strenuous activity, this is not easy if you’re stuck in front of a desk for 9 hours of the day.

Some people wake up and feel that they are not in control of their thoughts and emotions, and they might wake up in a bad mood, with negative thoughts about themselves and the rest of their day. What we all need to realize is that we do have control of our thoughts and emotions.

Too much stress can lead to psychosomatic illnesses. Depression is often the result of too much stress and anxiety. It’s characterized by feelings and emotions of hopelessness, sadness and despair. A high proportion of people who suffer from depression tend to experience frequent sleeplessness.

There are also temporary factors which can cause insomnia. It’s common to experience a few nights or even a few weeks of insomnia when the body or mind experiences irregularity and requires adjustment. Jet lag, working long or night shifts can disrupt the body’s normal sleep cycle.

Moving house or experiencing traumatic events can also cause temporary sleeplessness, although on some occasions it is possible to develop insomnia if the sufferer is unable to adjust quickly.

These are just some of the more common causes of insomnia I’ve mentioned. If you would like FREE tips and advice on how to deal with insomnia effectively, please sign up for my FREE Newsletter.