Insomnia is the inability to get the sleep you need.
You could have it and not be aware of it.
It could happen for a short period or for several years.
It's not about how long you are able to sleep but how well you sleep.
If you find that you are feeling tired during the day even though you think you are sleeping well at night you may be experiencing it.
Symptoms might include -difficulty in falling asleep even though you are tired -waking several times during the night -waking once but having a difficult time returning to sleep -waking up too early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep -needing medicine or alcohol to get to sleep During the daytime -you feel lethargic and/or irritable -you can't keep your mind on what you are doing -things that were easy to do now seem difficult -you don't react as quickly as you used to -you are not as alert as you once were -you feel anxious or depressed There are several things you can watch out for that may help alleviate the problem.
These are some of the easy fixes that may preclude the necessity for medical intervention.
-If you are not getting the proper amount of exercise you may want to start a program.
Join a club or just get out and walk.
Anything that increases your physical activity will help with sleep.
Just moving your body is better than sitting on the couch watching TV.
You don't have to exercise until you are exhausted.
Nor do you have to spend a lot of money.
Simple sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks etc.
in your home will work fine.
-If you watch violent or upsetting movies or TV programs, they can affect your frame of mind when you go to bed.
It would be better to read an enjoyable book or do anything that you find to be relaxing.
-Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet.
-Watch what you eat or drink prior to going to bed.
Alcohol, smoking and caffeine should definitely be avoided.
-Stress can be a major factor especially if you are worrying about something and cannot get your mind off of it.
In this case you can try lying in bed flat on your back, face up and hands at your sides.
Relax your mind and begin thinking about the muscles in your feet.
Concentrate on relaxing your toes, then feet then ankles.
Do this by first making those muscles tense, then slowly relaxing them.
Continue by working your way up until you have reached the top of your head.
All the while relaxing the muscles as you go from bottom to top.
Be especially careful of the facial muscles because tenseness in them can creep back in, especially around the eyes and cheeks.
When you are completely relaxed, try to empty your mind of any thoughts.
Anything at all.
You want it to be completely blank.
This is not easy, but eventually, if you keep at it, you will find it is possible.
At first random thoughts or pictures will keep popping back into your conscious, but just try to remove them by thinking about "nothing".
Try to picture your mind as completely blank.