Additionally, insomnia is usually a symptom of an underlying problem, such as a psychological or physiological reason, diet, or a sedentary lifestyle. As we get older, changes occur in our sleep patterns and there is a tendency for our sleep to begin and end earlier. The quality of our sleep also changes. Little or no time is spent in the deeper forms of NREM sleep and so our sleep is more easily interrupted by noise, the need to take a trip to the bathroom, or physical discomforts. Compounding the problem, according to the Better Sleep Council, falling back to sleep becomes harder to do.
Sleep is essential to life and the quality and quantity of sleep is essential to good health.
If you have been experiencing some sleepless nights, the following are some suggestions to help improve your chances of a better night's sleep. If your sleep problems persist for longer than a couple of weeks, you should discuss it with your physician or practitioner. Eating increases the heart rate, which makes it difficult to sleep, while the discomfort of hunger can keep you awake. Try a light snack a couple of hours before bedtime. The nicotine in smoking is an even stronger stimulant than caffeine.