INSOMNIA IN STUDENTS
Student Health: Insomnia
During confinement, routine changes have occurred that affect how we sleep and our quality of rest. Sometimes, we even start to worry because we don’t feel sleepy and the hours go by at dawn.
There is a problem that is being talked about more and more and it is insomnia. But, what is insomnia? How do I know if I have it? What are the risks? And what changes does it bring to your body? In this article you will find the answers to all these questions and more.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a problem that people have to fall asleep. That is, they can’t find a way to fall asleep.
That is why when the new day arrives, it is possible that people are still tired. Which would minimize your energy. Although not only affects this, but also changes in mood, you are more susceptible, more sensitive, and even more irritable.
During confinement, alterations in the routine have been the main causes for falling asleep. Less energy is spent by not going out, not walking, not interacting, not going to the gym, not going for a walk, etc. What makes the body feel like it’s not ready to fall asleep yet.
Causes that bring insomnia to your life:
Insomnia has different causes, which can be physical or mental:
- Stress: having many obligations at the same time, such as studies, work, family, among others, will cause changes in your mind. If you don’t learn to deal with it, it will keep you thinking about it and being active at night, and this will hinder your ability to sleep.
- Poor Diet: excess food before going to sleep is unfavorable for falling asleep. Eating a lot will cause your body to be busy carrying out heavy digestive processes, so falling asleep will not be so easy.
- Caffeine: whether you consume coffee or other products that contain caffeine, these contain stimulants that activate your mind and body, which will prevent you from falling asleep.
- Thoughts of anxiety or depression: having thoughts of anxiety or depression, whether it be the loss of a relative, the loss of work, among other problems that may occur daily, are the cause of insomnia; because our mind is busy with difficult emotions and feelings that restrict our ability to rest.
- Poor sleep hygiene: the constant use of screens, whether on the computer, cell phones, television, tablets, among others, and carrying out activities that stimulate the body during the night, can cause difficulty in falling asleep, since performing these activities keep your senses active and your mind constantly processing information.
Negative effects that cause insomnia
Insomnia can affect us in different aspects of our lives and at any age, although it is more common in older adults.
Among the negative effects caused by insomnia are the following:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Stress
- Fatigue
- bad decision making
- Greater waste of energy
- feeling disoriented
- dizziness
Some treatments that you can use against insomnia
Many of the treatments for insomnia will seek to change certain unhealthy practices for our sleep routine.
Remember that it will always be more advisable to contact your doctor so that he can review your particular situation and help you according to your symptoms.
Less consumption of heavy meals two hours before bedtime.
Limit nap time during the day to a maximum of 30 minutes and as long as it is before three in the afternoon, if you still find it difficult to sleep at night, you should avoid naps completely.
Try to be relaxed stop thinking about worries and avoid stressing.
As already mentioned above, if you have insomnia problems it is always better to consult with your doctor so that he can evaluate you in a personalized way according to your particular symptoms and lifestyle.
Your doctor will be able to tell you how to treat insomnia and what control you should take to reconcile your sleep in the best possible way on a daily basis.
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