Insomnia, Sleep Deprivation, Is It A Choice?

You’re not alone if you haven’t had a good night’s sleep lately, there is a growing trend towards sleeplessness. Did you know that D.C based National Sleep Foundation found that 70 million Americans have sleep problems and 2/3 of us don’t get sufficient sleep. So what can we do to get some rest? Should we just accept our tiredness and write it off as the price of being alive in today’s busy world? How about the insomnia? If you listen to pharmaceutical company’s promotional ads (for something that always ends in x), just about everybody in the country has insomnia: A night lying awake with anxiety and the ad tells you, "You may have insomnia." Do we? Do you?

Sleep Deprived – It’s your Choice

The fact is some people suffer sleep deprivation by the bad choices they make when it comes to sleep hygiene. For example, if you don’t show up to your bed ready to sleep until 2 am and your alarm clock goes off at 6:30 am, you’ve slept only 4 and ½ hours. Not nearly enough. And drinking that 16 oz cup of coffee at 10 pm, another bad idea.

But, what about those who suffer from an inability to sleep? We know that there is a correlation between our psychological angst (worries and anxiety) and a lack of sleep, which makes it hard for a person to either fall asleep or to stay asleep. Physical pain and health issues can also disturb sleep. What about the widely accepted belief that as we age our ability to sleep through the night deteriorates?

Well this myth was debunked by sleep researchers’ who found after asking the question "What happens to sleep patterns when healthy people grow old," that not much changes. Variables that disturb sleep and make it difficult to maintain solid sleep for older folks often result from health conditions like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and urinary problems. This can also result in a partner being kept awake, too.

What can you do to get some sleep?

As mentioned above, some people are setting themselves up for not enough or a bad night’s rest. If you’re keeping yourself up too late you may be pushing yourself past tired to the point of being wired. If you believe you can’t get to sleep before midnight, try going to bed a little earlier with a book in hand and a cup of herbal tea, instead of watching television or trying to work late.

How’s your bed?

You’ve probably heard the rule before that your bed should be used for nothing else but sleeping. It shouldn’t be used for a dinner table, a work area, etc if sleep is an issue for you.

What about the bed itself? Is your mattress old with depressions or lumps? Is it too small for two people? If you suffer from allergies you may want to explore purchasing a hypo allergenic mattress such as latex. Or if either you or your partner suffer from acid reflux (GERD), sleeping with your head raised is helpful to getting a decent night’s sleep. Memory foam is another great choice, especially if you sleep with someone who is restless or frequently in and out of bed at night, as the mattress does not transfer motion. For more information on adjustable beds and memory foam mattresses, please visit: bedutopia.com