If you struggle to get the sleep you need, it could be that your wellbeing is to blame. To help you suss out what’s behind your lack of shut-eye, here are three health problems that could be keeping you awake at night.
1. Lower Back Pain
Aside from causing you discomfort during the day, lower back pain can affect you at night too.To keep your aches and pains under control, there are a couple of things you could try. You could invest in a bed with an in-built massage function (imagine!). Massage therapy can help relax the muscles, so by having a bed with this feature, you should find it much easier to keep your aches at bay while you doze. There are a variety of models you can choose from that offer this function. For example, cyclo therapy adjustable beds from Adjustamatic use a three-way technique of pulsations and rotations to offer relief from back discomfort. By improving your bed setup in this way, you should stand to sleep better. Additionally, you could try using over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, or speak to your GP if you think you require a stronger medication.
2. Snoring
In some cases, snoring can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as sleep apnoea. This means that your airways become partially or totally blocked throughout the night, leading to a disturbed slumber. To put an end to your sleepless nights, you could try making a few lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, giving up smoking and exercising more regularly. You may also want to try using an anti-snoring device. From mouth guards to nasal strips, there are a number of different gadgets you could test out. If you think your snoring is having a serious impact on your health, it’s important to speak to a medical professional.
3. Insomnia
Affecting approximately one in every three people, insomnia is a common sleep issue. If you suffer from this condition, you may struggle to drift off or lie awake for hours. Although occasional episodes may come and go, if you experience insomnia on a persistent and regular basis, it’s important that you seek help to sort out your sleeping pattern. The good news is, there are a variety of things that could help you shake off your insomnia woes. For example, you could head to bed at a specific time each night and set yourself a time to wake up in the morning to get your body into a routine. You could also prepare yourself for sleep by relaxing in a warm bubble bath or listening to calming music. You should also try to avoid having caffeinated drinks in the run up to bedtime, and steer clear from stimulating activities, such as using your mobile phone or watching TV.
Getting enough sleep each night is crucial for your wellbeing. So if you’ve been letting your health get in the way of your slumber, it’s about time you took action! Check out my last post I wrote all about 5 ways to improve your sleep.
