About six percent of Germans have sleep disorders at least occasionally. Regular sleep disorders can have serious consequences for health, in addition to irritability and fatigue. People who regularly have problems with healthy sleep often suffer from a chronic lack of sleep. We speak of sleep disorders when those affected have problems falling asleep properly or sleeping through the night. The average sleep duration is 7 hours and 15 minutes. If a person generally takes longer to fall asleep, there is often not enough time left to recover. But also persistent interruptions due to waking up, significantly change the quality of sleep into the negative.
The causes are manifold
One speaks of sleep disorders only when the affected person can sleep little or not at all normally over a long period of time. In the 21st century, there are more causes than ever that keep people from being able to rest properly at night. Once again, a well-known culprit is the smartphone. It influences our sleep patterns in many different ways. Its use, just before bedtime, can irritate our brain so much that it can’t “come down” properly. It’s still so focused on the Instagram feed, the YouTube video and the action game that it can’t put itself into rest mode as quickly. But the blue light emanating from smartphone screens, PCs and TVs also interferes with that all-important resting phase. The light inhibits melanin production because the body is fooled into thinking it’s still the middle of the day. Melatonin is the hormone that makes us tired and helps us sleep well through the night. Many different diseases can also have a negative influence on our sleep. Several mental illnesses as well as physical ailments often make sleep a difficult task. Nocturnal breathing disorders are also very common. The most common symptom of breathing problems at night is snoring and grunting. More serious breathing disorders such as the sleep apnea symptom, in which the air is stopped for a few minutes, can have dangerous effects on organs and vessels, since the oxygen supply is often not properly available for the entire body for a few minutes. It is also common with the use of a new medication to find that sleep does not function as easily as it did before taking the medication. This is also possible and even quite common. Very often, psychosocial problems are just as much a trigger for disturbances in nocturnal rest. Stress, anxiety and worries. All this can be a trigger for increased stress levels and thus problem sleeping.
How to fix the problems now?
Sleep disorders affect the enjoyment of life and increase displeasure to the point of irritability. Of course, there is no universal solution here that can free all sufferers from their problem overnight. Here, research into the causes is the first priority. If you already know what triggers your nighttime problems, you can try different methods. The most important place to start, no matter what the trigger is, is your doctor. This person can look at your individual symptoms and evaluate them. He can then suggest a therapy tailored to you. Especially if you are already suffering very badly from your lack of sleep, you should not hesitate to contact a specialist. However, if you do not yet have very severe problems, or you want to do something in addition to medical treatment, you can try some home remedies, tips and tricks that have already helped many sufferers.
Digital Detox – at least in bed
“Digital Detox” is now a household name for many people. It means something like “digital detox.” In terms of your sleep, you should try to stop using your smartphone at least an hour before going to bed. See the bed as a free zone from cell phone, PC and co. This way you can symbolize to your body that the bed is only for resting. Not for surfing, not for working and playing.
Food supplement as a support
Drinking a lavender tea or putting lavender oil on your temples can help you fall asleep. There is already a wide range of different supplements available in pharmacies, drugstores and online. As the name suggests, dietary supplements are intended to supplement.Vitamins and hormones that may not be sufficiently absorbed through food and lifestyle alone. Taking valerian and lavender capsules possibly together with melatonin often have positive effects. Deficiencies in some vitamins, such as vitamin B6 can also cause sleep problems. CBD the remedy from the cannabis plant, which has analgesic and sedative effects, has already proven itself in many cases, not only in terms of promoting sleep quality. CBD now comes in many types and dosages, and some platforms offer a comparison that makes it easier for you to find the right preparation.
Give yourself a rest, even before you go to sleep!
Psychologists are important in many fields, including treating people with mental disorders. Psychologists are also involved in research, emergency medicine, marketing, business, education, and law. Since psychosocial problems are one of the most common causes of sleep problems, it is even more logical that you should get rid of your emotional stress. Make sure you try to resolve problems and disputes with fellow human beings. Always complete your tasks for the day to the point where you can go to bed with a clear conscience and not have to worry about work all night. Talk about your problems. Be it a trusted person like your partner or friends and relatives. Supervisors can also be a good point of contact for many kinds of problems. And if all else fails, confide in a doctor or psychologist. Many people feel an enormous sense of relief after just one clarifying conversation. Don’t be afraid to shed a few tears either. Grief is also a part of life and should not always have to be sorted out on your own. Unfortunately, many people are also overworked and suffer from enormous stress as a result. Maybe a wellness weekend at the spa will help you, or smaller things like a manicure, or a face mask at home. Hours in which you do nothing but focus on yourself.
Sleep problems, as individual as you!
Especially important in treating your sleep problems is, never lose patience! You will eventually be able to really relax and recover. Even if it seems hopeless at the moment, this fatigue will eventually pass. Deal with your situation as calmly as possible. It doesn’t help anything to sink into sadness and gloom, on the contrary. It rather keeps you from trusting in your body and its abilities. Sleep problems are as individual as every person on this earth, so it can often take longer to find the perfect solution for each sufferer. But again, there is a lid for every pot.