Insomnia is a whole lot more than your body telling you that you have had enough sleep. Actually, insomnia is your body's way of letting you know that something is wrong. Insomnia is different in each person, some just can not fall asleep, others wake in the middle of the night and are unable to fall back asleep, and some just wake up much too early. There can be various reasons, perhaps you are drinking too much caffeine, maybe you suffer from anxiety and depression, maybe you have some conflict or inner struggles in your life, or maybe you are in pain from migraines or arthritis.
Whatever the case, there is a problem that needs to be diagnosed before you will get another good night sleep. When your body is not allowing you to sleep there is a problem and your body is telling you that something is wrong with your body and or mind that needs to be addressed.
Most adults require about 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night but that can vary depending on the person. Usually a person knows if they have got enough sleep depending on the way that they feel the next day. If you feel tired and lack energy then odds are that you likely did not get your proper rest. Research has shown that as people age their Stage 4 sleep, which is the deepest sleep, tends to become shorter and eventually can disappear entirely. This result is older people waking more during the night and napping more during the day. This is not always indicative of a sleep disorder such as insomnia.
There are some things that you can attempt on your own in an attempt to rid your insomnia such as eliminating caffeine, watching your intake of alcohol, using relaxation techniques, limit any stimulating activities at least a few hours before bed, and keeping a routine at bedtime. Make sure that you are not hungry or too full, try taking a nice hot bath, or even try reading yourself to sleep. Make sure that you are attempting to sleep in a comfortable bed.
If you find that you are having a difficult time falling asleep then remove yourself from the bed and go do something else until you become tired again. Never nap! As much of a drag as this might sound you have to establish a bedtime for yourself and a get up time and stick with it seven days a week. These are attempts that you can make but if they do not work then make an appointment to see your doctor so you do not lose another precious nights sleep. You are worth it and you will feel so much better.
Perhaps you might want to try some herbal remedies that are relatively inexpensive and easily accessed over the counter. Many of these herbal compounds especially Lavender and catnip have been used for centuries to relax and calm people down, therefore allowing them to fall asleep.
