Having a hard time falling asleep? Join the club. The National Institute of Health estimates that about 30% of the population has sleeping problems. It is not a surprise with the overwhelming amount of stimulation from phones, television, and constant busyness of the mind to keep our nervous system out of whack.
What are the reasons why we can’t fall asleep at night?
1. Too much caffeine: Coffee is a stimulant and sometimes doesn’t take effect until 4-6 hours later; it also disrupts your circadian rhythm, which throws off your ability to fall asleep at the right time
2. Using technology before bed: Overload of electronics before bed disrupts our circadian rhythms and prevents the sleep hormone melatonin from kicking in so take an hour break before bed with a book, some nice stretches, or meditation instead
3. A heavy dinner or eating too late: Eating too late can wreak havoc not just on your belly but also your circadian rhythms, messing with your internal clock and causing weight gain
4. Stress: There are so many things that can cause us stress including pressure from work, family problems, relationships, financials, and our own health. This could be keeping us awake at night too as we overthink, worry about things are mind is chewing on, and feel fear overcome us. When we are stressed, our sympathetic system is triggered and we are in hyperarousal mode. Stress tends to cause an increase in cortisol levels or stress hormones, signaling the brain to close down certain systems to prepare for flight or fight such as digestive or immune processes. It could also mess with our melatonin levels, causing confusion for our body to when it is the right time to sleep.
Watch the SneakPeak of JoyScore Bedtime Visualization.
