Insomnia can turn into your worst nightmare

Symptoms of insomnia

Unable to fall asleep at bedtime
Waking up during the night and struggling to fall asleep again
Waking up unusually prematurely in the early hours

Common causes of sleep problems

Stress

Worrying about a work, personal or health problem can often lead to difficulty sleeping. You might have a coursework deadline or exam on the horizon, there may be problems at home or with a relationship, or you might be concerned about an illness. It will be difficult to make your brain switch off and the more you become frustrated about not sleeping, the less chance you will have of nodding off.

Illness or Injury

Poor health or a sports injury can often affect the ability to sleep properly.

Environment

Some people are light sleepers while others can sleep through hurricanes. Too much noise from traffic or lively housemates/neighbours can cause the light sleeper considerable distress. Sleeping conditions such as an uncomfortable bed or too much or too little air can also affect sleep patterns.

Alcohol, Caffeine and Cigarettes

Tea and coffee are an essential part of student life for many, especially in the middle of an essay crisis. Stimulants such as Pro Plus are also popular. Alcohol, while known to send us to sleep if consumed to excess, can also have the opposite effect. The nicotine in cigarettes is also a stimulant. All of these social favourites will have a direct influence on the body’s ability to shut down for the night.

How to cope

By being aware and careful in relation to all of the above, sleeping patterns will be easier to manage. Sometimes, however, insomnia will set in and prove very hard to shake off, particularly in cases of emotional trauma or work stress.

Eventually, the body has to take a break, so even if you are not getting much sleep during the night, try to avoid napping during the day however much you might want to. This will help you regain a normal sleeping pattern at night. If you are still not sleeping and the problem is starting to seriously affect your work, talk to your tutor and fix an appointment with your GP.