Insomnia: Understand Symptoms, Causes & Simple Ways to Prevent This Sleep Disorder

• Insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking unrefreshed, impacting daily life and leading to serious long-term health issues like mood disorders, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
• Causes include stress, travel, irregular routines, environmental factors (noise, temperature), lifestyle habits (caffeine, alcohol, naps), and biological factors (hormonal shifts, genetics).
• Symptoms range from lying awake for hours, frequent waking, and early rising to shallow, non-restorative sleep, leading to irritability, fatigue, and poor concentration.
• Prevention involves maintaining a consistent sleep routine, managing stress, cutting stimulants like caffeine and alcohol, and considering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-I).
• Act early by noticing sleep patterns and consulting a doctor if insomnia persists for weeks or affects daily functioning, as medication can be a short-term tool.

Why It Matters: Recognize insomnia's symptoms and causes early to prevent long-term health issues through routine, stress management, and professional help.