In most cases, insomnia is only temporary and you will eventually get over it. However, in some cases sleep related problems can last for years. Insomnia can be brought on by a number of causes including indigestion, breathing problems, pain, anxiety, stress, grief, depression, jet lag, caffeine, certain drugs, can a lack of proper nutrients in your diet. A lack of calcium and magnesium can cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to go back to sleep. A sedentary lifestyle can be a major contributor to sleep disorders.
Most individuals can adapt to short periods of sleep deprivation.
After more than three days, serious deterioration of performance can begin, and often mood changes and personality changes can ensue. There are no set medical requirements for how much sleep you should get. Some adults can function fine on five hours of sleep a night, while others may require eight, nine, even eleven hours of sleep to feel rested the next day. Most adults require about eight hours of sleep a night to do their best the following day. Children, especially young children, require more sleep than adults.