Jun 18, 2019

5 Disturbances That Could Be Interrupting Your Sleep

Author Amanda Turner / Category Lifestyle / Published: June 2019

The one thing we all crave that continues to elude us...sleep. Why is it that sleep always seems so hard to come by, regardless of our busy schedule? While the most obvious issue of sleep deprivation is feeling tired all the time, not getting enough sleep can cause even more health issues than you know, such as your mood, attention span, and there are even studies that link sleep deprivation to Alzheimer’s disease. To get back on a healthy sleep schedule to get the shut-eye you need, take a look at these top factors that could be interrupting your sleep.

Being Active Too Close to Bedtime

Trying to squeeze in a workout every day is a great way to stay healthy and can actually help you stay asleep throughout the night. The issue, however, is when you try and work out at night then think you’ll be able to hop right into bed. Hormones are released into your body after you work out that will leave you feeling great and energized, but unfortunately, it will keep you from going to sleep. Make sure you plan your workout at least three hours before bedtime so you are able to get to sleep when you need to.

Stress and Anxiety

The biggest sleep killer for most is tossing and turning at night due to stress and anxiety. Regardless of how hard we try to go to sleep at a certain hour, we always find ourselves waking up in the middle of the night because our mind is reeling over the next deadline, struggling to pay bills or the next big event you have to attend or plan. While overcoming stress and anxiety can be a problem to tackle within itself, try focusing on self-care at night. Try focused meditation, take a long relaxing shower, or explore different essential oils that your body responds best to. Do what you can to calm your mind right before bed to get the shut-eye you need.

Outside Noises

Noises such as your television being on, noisy appliances, or noise happening outside your room such as family staying awake or people outside your home can be very distracting and may leave you awake at night. While some issues simply cannot be fixed, take some time to check for things that may need to get repaired around your home, such as a noisy HVAC system or other faulty appliances and make sure you turn off all electronics at night that can wake you up.

Physical Ailments

Problems like snoring and sleep apnea can be a big factor in why you aren’t sleeping well. While snoring doesn’t necessarily keep you from sleeping, the noise you make alone can actually wake you up at night - silly but true! Sleep apnea, on the other hand, keep you from getting the sleep you need because of the lack of oxygen you are receiving to your brain. Joint and overall body pain are also known to wake you up at night. If you have noticed that you have these ailments and also experience problems sleeping, try and schedule an appointment with your doctor to explore ways to mitigate your sleep disturbances.

Having a Skewed Circadian Rhythm

Babies are known to have issues confusing their days from the night - that’s what keeps new parents up at night! But did you know that adults can experience the same issues? Whether you are recovering from a graveyard shift job, traveling abroad, or just had a bout of insomnia, now is the time to get back to a regular sleep schedule. During this time, try and train your body to go to sleep at the hour you’d prefer. Turn the lights down, start a bedtime routine, and make sure to get rid of any distractions. While you won’t be able to just hop in bed immediately, over time your body will start to recognize when it is time for bed and will be ready for sleep at the desired time.