Sleep problems are no
joke. There is nothing worse than lying awake night after night, staring at the
ceiling, listening to your partner gently snoring away, and watching the clock.
Eventually you fall asleep, but the alarm goes off almost immediately and you
crawl out of bed like a zombie.
In the short term, not
enough sleep is horrible, but not life threatening. After all, sleep
deprivation is common amongst parents with small children and most of us survive. However, sleep
deprivation in the long term is not good and definitely not healthy. The brain
needs sleep to refresh and recharge. When we don’t get enough sleep, it soon
starts to affect our mental and physical health, so it is sensible to find the
underlying cause of why you can’t sleep. To help you, here are seven reasons
why you are having sleep problems.
Uncomfortable Mattress
Mattresses don’t last
forever, so if yours has been on the bed since the Fall of the Roman Empire,
it’s time to invest in a new one. There are many different types of mattress,
ranging from soft to extra firm, so try a few out to see which one suits you
the best. Essentia is a popular brand, so read some Essentia mattress reviews to help your decision making progress.
You Have a Blocked Nose
If you are full of
cold, your nose will be blocked, but there are other reasons why you might have
problems breathing in bed. A deviated septum can cause nasal blockages and make it hard to
breathe. Telltale signs are snoring, sleep apnea, and a sore throat in the morning.
Talk to a doctor if this is your issue.
Stress
Stress affects us all
at some point. Job woes, family concerns and other issues pile up and we end up
stressed and unhappy. If you think stress is the root of your problems, try
some relaxation therapy; take a hot bath before bed and light some aromatherapy
candles in the bedroom just before you go to bed.
The Bedroom is Too Hot or Cold
It is hard to sleep
when the bedroom is too hot or too cold. Open a window and turn the heating
down if you are too hot, or pile some extra blankets on the bed if you are
shivering all night.
Your Partner Keeps You Awake
Does your partner
snore like a stranded hippo? If so, he may have a breathing problem. This
doesn’t help you, however, so consider sleeping in the spare room or invest in
some earplugs for the time being.
The Neighbors are Noisy
Do your neighbors
party all night? Ask them to be quiet, or if this doesn’t work, report them for
anti-social behavior.
Pets on the Bed
Never let pets sleep
on the bed. It’s unhygienic and bad for your sleep. Pets should have their own
bed, preferably in a separate room.
Sleep problems are no
laughing matter, so if your lack of sleep is making you poorly, make an
appointment to see your doctor.