Get the Support You Need to Tackle Insomnia with Our Online Services
Insomnia is the inability to sleep or the inability to have a quality night’s rest. According to the CDC, “Insomnia affects one-third of Americans. Without proper sleep, a person may experience problems with concentration affecting productivity at work or success at school. If left untreated, insomnia can cause some chronic diseases.
Sleep is very important to our mental, emotional and physical health. Acute insomnia can be treated at Priority Virtual Healthcare. Acute insomnia is insomnia lasting for less than 1 month with an identifiable cause.
Practicing Good Sleep Hygiene Is A Great Start In Improving Insomnia
What is sleep hygiene? This is a daily routine of preparing oneself for a restful night. This can include a time for stopping the day’s activity to prepare your mind and body to wind down. This may be difficult if you have children or a large family, but getting the family in the habit of practicing good sleep hygiene can be great for everyone whether young or old.
How Can You Practice Good Sleep Hygiene?
- Avoid daytime cat naps.
- Although TV and Internet searching frowns upon 3 hours before bedtime, blue light glasses may shield you from the effects of your electronic devices affecting your sleep cycle.
- Avoid alcohol before bedtime.
- Avoid exercise 5 hours before bedtime.
- Avoid sitting and lying on your bed during the day.
How Can I Get Quality Rest?
- Mental and emotional stability is vital to quality sleep. Therefore, make sure any mental illnesses are currently being treated by your doctor or psychiatrist and your medication is working for you.
- Ask your doctor if any medications could be hindering your sleep.
- Try warm baths to help you to relax.
- Exercise on a daily basis has been shown to improve mental health and tire your body out to get good quality sleep. Try 30 min of walking outside of normal activity a day.
- Weighted blankets have been shown to improve sleep especially for those who have anxiety.
- Place your cell phone on a setting that will avoid waking you from a restful sleep.
- Trying to train your body to sleep and wake at the same time daily is important in fighting insomnia.
If you need assistance with sleeping, schedule an appointment today at (334) 866-0880. A healthcare professional is able to prescribe medications that may help you get a good night’s rest.
Symptoms of insomnia may include:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up frequently during the night
- Waking up too early in the morning
- Feeling tired or unrefreshed after sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or staying alert during the day
- Mood changes such as irritability or depression
- How is insomnia diagnosed?
- To diagnose insomnia, a healthcare provider will typically ask about your sleep patterns and any symptoms you are experiencing. They may also ask about any medical conditions you have, medications you are taking, and any other factors that may be affecting your sleep. In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend a sleep study to help diagnose insomnia.
If left untreated, insomnia can have long-term effects on health and well-being. Chronic insomnia can lead to ongoing sleep deprivation, which can have negative impacts on physical and mental health. It is important to seek treatment for insomnia to prevent these negative effects.
