If you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep, then you are not alone. There are
millions of Americans who struggle with sleep loss for a number of reasons. The good news is that there are helpful solutions to sleep loss; you can break the vicious cycle. The key to dealing with sleep loss is finding the source of the issue. The following are five possible reasons why you may be suffering from sleep loss.
1. Lack of Exercise
How much do you exercise? You may be surprised to know that the amount that you exercise can have a direct correlation with your sleep pattern. Exercise is not only good for your shape, but it is also good for your emotional and mental health. When you exercise regularly, you are pushing healthy blood to your brain. This enables your brain to work at its highest function. A healthy brain allows for healthy sleep, so working out regularly during the day will enable you to sleep longer and better at night.
2. TMJ
TMJ or temporal mandibular jaw can also be a cause for sleep loss. This malfunction of the jaw can cause a misalignment of your tongue and teeth while you were sleeping. When your tongue is not in the correct position while you sleep, it may cause a blockage to your airflow. This blockage of airflow will lead to sleep apnea. When you suffer from sleep apnea, you occasionally stop breathing, and that causes you to temporarily wake up in the night. This causes a disruption to your sleep pattern. If you feel like you may be suffering from TMJ, you would do well to find a TMJ specialist in your area. For example, if you live in North Carolina you can look for a TMJ specialist in Raleigh NC.
3. Poor Stress Management
We all have different stressors during our day, and there are positive and negative ways that stress can be handled. Some people handle stress by eating, and there are others who may handle stress by sleeping. You may be a person who processes the stress of the day in the evening; since everything is still and quiet at night, this is when your brain may begin to think over the day. When this happens, it can be difficult to sleep. There are some simple steps that you can take to better handle your stress. One good idea would be to have a notepad right next to your bed at night. If the worries of your day come to you at night, make sure that you write them down on the notepad. In that way, you are telling your brain that you will deal with the stress in the morning. You don’t have to worry about the things that you might forget because they will all be written down.
4. Mental Health Needs
Issues with mental health can definitely cause sleep loss. Specifically, depression and anxiety can be huge culprits. There are some natural ways that you can deal with these orders, but it is always wise to seek the help of a professional in order to get guidance as to how to best deal with your mental health. A professional may decide to use therapy or medication.
5. Too Much Screen Time Before Bed
Research has shown that blue lights that come off of screens such as telephones, tablets, and computers can significantly affect your sleep. If you are having problems with your sleep, then you do well to avoid looking at your tablet or cell phone right before going to bed. If you must look at something before going to sleep, then it is better to read a paper book. You can also put a blue light blocker on all of your handheld devices.
Your Sleep is Essential
If you are suffering from sleep loss, then you know how debilitating it can be to your life. You may want to try natural remedies first in order to help you sleep better, but if they do not work, you may need to seek out the help of a trusted professional. A professional can get to the source of your sleep loss and provide you with workable solutions to your problem. Since sleep is so essential to your overall well being, do your due diligence in order to get a good night’s sleep
