Although some people need more sleep than others, most of us sleep less as we age, eventually averaging about six hours per night. Some may need as many as seven or eight hours. Difficulty sleeping may be a minor inconvenience that goes away in a few days or weeks, a condition known as transient insomnia. When sleeplessness lasts for months or years, it is called chronic insomnia. If insomnia interferes with daily activities by making you feel tired, irritable or less energetic, it's time to do something.
Difficulty sleeping usually indicates an underlying problem.
Psychological causes include depression, stress, anxiety and tension. Any of these feelings, perhaps triggered by the death of a loved one or moving to a new location, may induce insomnia. In a case like this, the first step would be to work through these changes with support from important people in your life and, if needed, your physician or a specialist. Other triggers may be physical conditions, such as shortness of breath when lying down, or chronic pain from arthritis or intestinal disorders. Muffle noise with ear plugs or soundproof windows.