Only in the past few years has sleep become a topic of discussion. Maybe its importance for weight loss or for overall alertness. The reason it is mentioned so often these days is because many people are suffering from sleep-related problems and in fact, several recent studies have revealed that people do not get enough sleep. This poor sleep is hindering their physical as well as mental health. International clinical psychologist and founder of The Sleep Practice, Dr Holly Milling, has revealed three signs that you are suffering from a sleep disorder. Sleep deprivation is widespread across countries and is a larger scale problem that we will tackle today. While there are several causes of insomnia, like stress, long working hours, poor lifestyle, excessive phone use, it can also signal a sleep disorder. Three signs of a sleep disorder are 1) You have trouble sleeping 2) You are waking up feeling tired and not alert 3) You are feeling extremely sleepy during the day. If the above three things happen to you often, it means you should see a doctor. According to data on the Mayo Clinic, sleep disorders can be divided into categories based on a person’s natural sleep cycle, breathing problems, difficulty sleeping, or how sleepy you feel during the day. . Some of the most common sleep disorders are Insomnia – This occurs when you notice it is extremely difficult to fall asleep at night or even stay asleep throughout the night. Sleep Apnea – Sleep apnea is related to your abnormal breathing patterns during sleep. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) – This is a type of sleep movement disorder. It makes people want to move their legs while sleeping. Narcolepsy – This condition is caused by extreme drowsiness and sleepiness during the day, to the point where people suddenly fall asleep without even realizing it. How to fix insomnia To be honest, if you have reached the stage where you have a sleep disorder, only your GP can guide you on how to fix it but there are some general lifestyle tips can help you a lot. Fix sleep-wake habits – Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Don’t compromise on your sleep time as this will regulate your body’s biological clock and help you sleep better Avoid caffeine after lunch Make your room bright with natural light when you wake up – open windows and balcony doors Create a pre-sleep routine – An hour before bed, start preparing for the next day in advance, curl up with a book and then transition to sleep time to let your body know that your day is about to end. Cut back on screen time before bed – This has been said many times, but we’ll say it again! Reduce screens and blue light exposure in the evening Make sure your room is cool, dark and quiet! Address stress – Stress can disrupt your sleep cycle, so identify your stressors and find ways to fix it. You can try exercising, resting, meditating
