Sleep – Difficulties going to sleep or staying asleep
Sleep problems are common, and the reasons we struggle to fall asleep are likely to change throughout our lives, for instance, illness, work or having a baby are possible causes.
A few sleepless nights are usually nothing to worry about, but it can become an issue if a lack of rest starts to affect your daily life.
Symptoms
You may:
- find it difficult to fall asleep
- lie awake for long periods at night
- wake up several times during the night
- wake up early and be unable to fall asleep again
- feel down or have a lower mood
- have difficulty concentrating
- be more irritable than usual
Longer-term problems can affect our relationships and social life, and leave us feeling tired all the time, eating more and not able to do daily tasks.
Causes and conditions
There are many reasons why we might not be sleeping well.
Some people are naturally lighter sleepers or take longer to fall asleep while others might sleep badly because of anxiety, worry over stressful events or other life challenges.
There are lots of things that can influence how well we sleep, such as our current physical or mental health, our upbringing, things that happen to us, and even our temperament.
However, bad habits, such as not relaxing or winding down before bed, often cause problems.
Does sleep hygiene help?
Good bedtime habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, can really help us to get better sleep.
Having a regular routine is sometimes called sleep hygiene.
Click here for our comprehensive sleep guide.
What is the meaning of insomnia?
It’s important to appreciate why we sleep: to rest and repair our mind and body. It’s vital for good physical and mental health and wellbeing
Longer stretches of bad sleep can do the opposite and have a negative impact on our physical and mental health or wellbeing.
If someone cannot fall asleep or stay asleep for long enough to feel refreshed, they might have insomnia. Insomnia is a condition that can last for months or years.
Changing your sleeping habits often helps with sleep problems including insomnia. If this does not help or you think you have a problem, see a GP.
How many hours of sleep do I need?
A healthy adult usually needs around 7 to 9 hours per night. However, age, health and personal circumstances affect how much we need, plus some people naturally sleep more than others.