Why don't I sleep?

There are many reasons why people fail to drop off to sleep or wake up during the night.

Here are just a few of them:

Maybe your lifestyle is irregular and your circadian rhythm (internal body clock) is off balance

You’re unfit or not getting enough exercise

You eat too much close to bedtime or you go to bed hungry, which can make you wake too early

You smoke, drink too much alcohol / caffeine, particularly in the hours before bedtime

You may be ill or in pain

You’re anxious about something or depressed
Depression is frequently associated with early morning awakening and not being able to get
back to sleep.

You dwell on the day’s events and / or problems

You are experiencing hormonal changes that make falling and staying asleep difficult
Reductions in the levels of melatonin, which is part of the circadian rhythm, reduced levels of serotonin, associated with mood, and changes linked to the menopause.

Shift work and jet lag can also cause sleep disturbances because the body’s internal clock
(circadian rhythm), is not in-line with the right time of day or night