More than 50 percent of Canadians say the quality of their sleep isn’t good, according to Statistics Canada, reported by CBC News. “Lack of sleep (both duration and quality) are associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, injuries, death from all causes, depression, irritability and reduced well-being,” wrote a contributor to CBC News.
Are you one of the many people who either aren’t getting enough sleep or are experiencing fitful sleep? If so, read on to discover why you may be having problems and what you can do to improve your sleep health.
3 Reasons You May Not Be Getting Enough Sleep
There are a slew of reasons why you may not be getting the sleep you need. Here are three possibilities:
1. Excessive screen time — The average American spends more than 10 hours a day starting at screens, per Penn State University. Too much time on mobile devices and computers can really impact the quality of your sleep, especially when you look at screens in the evenings.
According to Science News for Students, looking at screens in the evening confuses the body. Put this habit to rest and you might just find you get a more restful night’s sleep.
2. Too much caffeine or alcohol — Caffeine and alcohol can be major inhibitors of sleep. “The caffeine in tea and coffee is a stimulant that prevents you sleeping well. Alcohol may make you drowsy, but your sleep will be very restless, reported the Sleep Health Foundation.
You’ll have to play around with the amount of caffeine and alcohol you can drink and still get a good night’s sleep. Everybody is different, and some people have a much higher tolerance for these substances. If you find your sleep is being disrupted, back off the caffeine and alcohol a little and see how you feel.
3. Physical pain — Pain is one of the main reasons why people don’t get enough sleep, or get quality sleep. It’s difficult to fall and stay asleep when you are hurting.
“Pain is a key factor in the gap between the amount of sleep Americans say they need and the amount they’re getting – an average 42 minute sleep debt for those with chronic pain and 14 minutes for those who’ve suffered from acute pain in the past week,” stated the Pain and Sleep Foundation.
The link between pain and sleep loss isn’t unique to Americans. It applies to individuals across all nationalities.
If pain is preventing you from getting enough sleep, a physiotherapist can help you. He or she can find the source of your pain and treat it. In many cases, physiotherapy can reduce or even eliminate pain. Consider making an appointment with a local physiotherapy clinic to learn more.
Should You See a Sleep Specialist?
If the reason for your lack of sleep is not listed above, you may need to visit a sleep specialist. More than likely, the quality of your sleep can improve with treatment.