Sleep Well
Sleep is something everybody needs. It plays a vital role in both our physical and mental health. But, sleeping problems, such as insomnia, can make it difficult for some people to get enough sleep.
As well as making you feel tired, lack of sleep can lead to physical illness and increase your risk of heart disease. Mentally, not getting enough sleep can lead to anxiety and can make it hard for you to concentrate.
On this page, we will explore what insomnia is, what causes the problem and how hypnotherapy for insomnia can help.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is defined as difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the next morning.
Most of us will have experienced a disrupted sleep and will know how it feels when you can’t seem to fall asleep. It may be that you're thinking about the next day or have had a coffee too near to bedtime. Perhaps you found it easy to fall asleep, but continue to wake up through the night. Either way, a rough sleep can leave you feeling drained and irritable the next day. Those who suffer from insomnia will experience these feelings regularly.
It is estimated that a third of people in the UK have episodes of insomnia during their lives. While it can affect anyone at any age, people over the age of 60 and women appear to be more susceptible.
Different types of Insomnia.
There are many different types of insomnia but, generally, they are split into two categories:
Temporary insomnia
Insomnia is classified as temporary or acute if it lasts between one night and three or four weeks. Common causes of temporary insomnia include jet lag, a change in routine or working conditions, stress, caffeine and alcohol.
Some cases of temporary insomnia are named transient or intermittent insomnia. This is when the person is experiencing sleeping problems periodically over months or years.
Persistent insomnia
This is also known as chronic insomnia. Generally, the problem will persist almost nightly, for at least four weeks. This can often be when the pain or medication of medical conditions disrupts sleep. These may include arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, allergies, changing hormones or mental health issues.
Symptoms of insomnia.
Symptoms differ depending on individual circumstances. However, there are common symptoms, including:
- Being awake for long periods at night.
- Not being able to fall asleep.
- Waking up several times during the night.
- Waking up very early and being unable to get back to sleep.
- Feeling tired and groggy the next morning.
- Finding it difficult to concentrate or function properly.
- Feeling irritable.
Therapy for Insomnia.
When treating sleeping problems, there are various approaches you could take. It is important to first speak to your doctor to eliminate any physical causes. Your doctor may recommend you take medicine to help you sleep. For some people, this can be an effective treatment, but it is important to try and find out the underlying cause of the problem. Behavioural therapies and talk therapies are often also advised.
Hypnotherapy is another treatment option that many people find effective. Hypnotherapy for insomnia can tackle any potential causes while helping you relax and drop off to sleep. For example, if anxiety or depression is the source of your insomnia, hypnosis for sleep may complement your existing treatment. Overcoming these issues may then help to improve your sleeping pattern. Alternatively, if a habit is causing your insomnia (such as alcohol) hypnotherapy for insomnia can work to break this habit.