Sleep and Insomnia

Many people have trouble with sleep and insomnia. If you are one of the few people who can enjoy great nights of sleep, congratulations.

If you are not so lucky, keep reading. There are several sleeping disorders, including sleep apnea and many others, that affect people of all ages.

Depending on your symptoms and the extent of your sleep problems, there might be something you can do in the comfort of your home to relax and finally get the sleep you deserve.

Sleep and Insomnia: Some Definitions

Before you can solve your sleep problems, it would be helpful to define a few things.

• Sleep. Sleep is a complex physiological and psychological process that is meant to leave you feeling restored, both mentally and physically.
• Insomnia. Insomnia is a disruption of your sleep pattern. For some people, insomnia manifests itself as having difficulty falling asleep, for others, insomnia may be more about having difficulty staying asleep. For some other even unluckier people, it's both.
• Circadian Rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is like your biological clock that is set by daylight. Learn more about your sleep wake cycle.

Discover the Stages of Sleep

There are four major sleep stages.

• 1. Hypnogogic State. This stage happens during the transition from the time you are awake to the time you are asleep. Your mind and emotions slow down as your body gets ready for sleep. At the end of this stage, you may experience some leg jerking, but this is totally normal.
• 2. Light Sleep. This stage is a preparation for your body to enter deep sleep. Your muscles relax and your body temperature drops slightly.
• 3. & 4. Deep Sleep. These deep sleep stages are composed alternating of Delta State and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) States. REM occurs every 90 minutes or so and each REM period increases in length from the first REM lasting about 5 minutes to the last one of the night lasting from 30 to 60 minutes. REM is when dreams occur.

What Are the Causes of Insomnia?

Learn more about various causes of insomnia. In a nutshell, most causes of insomnia can be classified into the following four categories.

• Sleep Hygiene
• Lifestyle Choices
• Psychological Stress
• Medical Illnesses

Learn more about sleep and insomnia on these pages:

• Discover the effects of alcohol on sleep and insomnia
• Should you take valerian for insomnia?
• CPAP mask + other option to treat sleep apnea.
• 8 ways to sleep better.
• How to cover up sleepy eyes with make-up.
• Ten Tips to Beat Insomnia
• How to sneak in more sleep.
• How much sleep should kids get?
• Discover new herbal insomnia remedies.
• Can't sleep? Try these relaxation tips for a better night sleep.
• How to get beautiful in your sleep.
• Learn more on relaxation techniques and sleep.
• Discover other natural cures for insomnia.
• Learn how to choose a mattress.
• Learn more about sleeping disorders, sleep and insomnia.
• What is sleep apnea?
• Learn more about the sleep-wake cycle.

Other Resources for Insomnia and Better Sleep

Learn about the effects a mattress can have on insomnia, how the right sleeping surface can help you but why an expensive new mattress is not always the best option.

Learn about chronic fatigue syndrome and discover if you should speak to your doctor to get your energy levels up again.

Sleep Aid Guide - Trouble Sleeping? Sleep Disorder?
If you are having trouble getting to sleep or are suffering from a sleep disorder the Sleep Aid Guide is there to help you find the right sleep aids and to help you get the rest you need.

If you are interested in buying hypnotherapy CDs, scripts and ebooks that can help you improve your sleep and find out more about brainwave & sleep research and other areas of health and hypnosis, visit this Hypnosis and Health site.

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