Sleeplessness – Insomnia
Some people lie awake for a long time after retiring, but when they do go to sleep, they sleep soundly. Some waken early and cannot go back to sleep. Others waken repeatedly during the night.
Sleep requirements vary from person to person. A few people seem to get along well on five or six hours per night. Others need nine or ten in order to maintain strength, energy, and alertness. It is wise, therefore, for a person to determine his own need for sleep and then plan his program accordingly.
A severe cough, persistent itching, or severe pain can keep a person awake. Shortness of breath, an attack of diarrhea, or the urge for frequent urination may cause a person to waken frequently during the night and thus deprive him of sound, restful sleep. The taking of certain drugs, as amphetamines or caffeine, may stimulate the brain and delay or prevent sleep.
Noisy or uncomfortable surroundings may keep a person from sleeping normally. Overwork for some, lack of exercise for others, heavy eating in the evening or at bedtime, anger, anxiety, depression, emotional tensions and conflicts, or a custom of reviewing the day's happenings and planning tomorrow's activities-all are habits which may interfere with sleep.
In some cases the problem may simply be the individual's concern over not sleeping. For such, the remedy is to adopt a carefree attitude, remain quietly in bed during the entire time sleep should occur, and rise at the proper time, whether one feels rested or not.
