Insomnia is not just the inability to fall asleep; it can also be expressed in difficulties staying asleep. Even when you are sleeping for enough hours each night, you may not be getting appropriate restful sleep that is vital for your body and brain. A healthy night of sleep typically consists of several 90 minute cycles where the different lobes of the brain pass through stages of low and high activity. When these cycles are interrupted it is not possible to function at optimal levels.
Everyone can suffer from sleep deprivation here and there in life. This is normal and is not a big concern to long-term health unless it persists for an extended period of time. If you have had troubles falling asleep, staying asleep, or you do not feel well rested for a period of time that is longer than a month, you should consider ways to improve your sleep.
Evidence from research shows that insomnia can affect many mental, emotional and physical functions. Alongside the more obvious effects on attention, memory and physical ability, research has shown that lack of restful sleep increases risk of illness, infection, heart disease, and high blood pressure. And don’t be fooled- it is not only children who get cranky when they don’t get the sleep that they need. Emotional problems from sleep issues are going to take their toll on your personal and social life as well.
There are several ways to treat insomnia. Medications, including over-the-counter drugs such as melatonin, all have side effects. These should only be used on a temporary basis (especially prescription drugs) and these should never be mixed with alcohol. Other ways to help sleep patterns include exercise, yoga, medication, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
There is another powerful option as well. Neurofeedback showed significant decreases in insomnia in ALL participants! Yes, 100% of the patients reported lower levels of insomnia after sessions, as well as in a one-month follow-up. 100% of them showed significant improvements in sleep.
