Not being able to fall asleep can affect every part of your life, especially your mental and physical health. Sure, almost every college student has had a sleepless night. Maybe you were out celebrating a sports game with friends, reading material for class or cramming in study time for an exam. “All nighters” are so common that they are often regarded as just part of your normal life in college. But what happens when you really can’t sleep at all?
Insomnia is a condition that affects roughly 10% of the adult population. It is also thought to affect one in four college students according to the Center for Disease Control. With this condition, an affected person often experiences disturbances in sleep. These can include a lack of sleep, waking up multiple times throughout the night, or issues with tiredness and focus during the day. Insomnia is a worrisome condition because getting adequate sleep is needed to function properly. Healthy sleep habits allow us to feel rested and rejuvenated, so we are able to tackle the daily tasks in our lives.
Insomnia can also be caused by poor mental health. If you are not taking care of your mental health adequately, your sleep is almost sure to follow. Insomnia can be a comorbidity of many different mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD. The condition of insomnia can be attributed to a number of factors including: trauma, nightmares or being in a state of high stress.
If you think you may be suffering from insomnia, there are options available to you that can help. Talking to your primary care provider or a psychiatrist can help you explore options for medications that may help regulate your sleep cycle. If you go to therapy or are interested in beginning therapy, a therapist or other mental health professional can help you explore the underlying reasons behind your sleep disturbances.
There are also practices you can implement into your daily life to help regulate your sleep cycle. Getting to bed around the same time each night and limiting the use of your screens around your bed time may help. Try not using any of your screens at least an hour before you plan to go to sleep. If you’re the kind of person who needs to watch TV before bed, try swapping the show for a book! Additionally, aiming for at least eight hours of sleep is ideal, but tailor your sleep schedule to your own body. Some people may only need eight hours of sleep, while others may need ten to feel fully rested. Natural supplements such as melatonin may help you finally get to sleep as well. Creating a nightly routine can be extremely beneficial to your sleep cycle as well. Next time you are getting ready to turn in, try using these tips. By creating healthy habits around bedtime, you can optimize your sleep and health.
If you have tried these tips and still struggle with insomnia, talking to a doctor or professional may be a helpful option. Sleep is one of the most important pieces of our health, so take care of yourself and get some rest!