Struggling to Sleep? How to Know When It’s Time to Seek Help

Staying healthy is incredibly important. Whether it’s eating well, exercise, your mental health or wellbeing, we’ve all got to stay on top of our health. It can be hard to strike a balance, but the effort is worth the payoff. Sleep hygiene is incredibly important as well, as anyone who’s completed online family nurse practitioner programs will tell you. 

In a world that feels like we’re always ‘on’, many of us struggle with getting enough sleep. But how do you know when it’s time to seek help for this? This article will guide readers through some signs that might show you it’s time to talk to a professional about your sleep habits or sleep problems.

Despite Healthy Habits, You’re Still Not Sleeping Well

Keep relatively healthy habits, such as eating a balanced and healthy diet, exercising regularly and vigorously, and staying hydrated, and still struggling to sleep. It might be time to seek help. If you have these habits, you should have a good sleep pattern, as they all contribute to getting a good night’s sleep. However, if you find yourself struggling to get to sleep or suffering from disrupted sleep, such as frequent arousal through the night, you may want to seek sleep help. In some cases, personalized solutions from a compounding pharmacy in Texas or elsewhere may also be part of a broader care plan, especially when personalized medications or specific nutrient formulations are recommended by your provider. Customized approaches can sometimes help address underlying imbalances that interfere with restful sleep. This could point to a sleep condition, such as insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea, that may require a medical intervention.

Someone Has Noticed Something Unusual About Your Sleep

If someone in your life has noticed something off about your sleep, this may be a sign that it is time to seek help. For instance, if your partner has noticed that you are restless, struggling to sleep, or sleepwalking, this may be a sign that professional help is required. If you suspect that something may be wrong with your sleep, ask your partner if they’ve noticed anything unusual. 

Poor Sleep is Affecting Other Parts of Your Life

If you’ve noticed that your poor sleep is having an impact on other areas of your life, it may be a sign to seek medical advice. Some signs that your quality of sleep may be affecting your life adversely include:

• Fatigue throughout the day
• Poor decision-making capacity
• Irritability and becoming easily annoyed 
• Memory issues
• Finding simple tasks difficult 
• Mood swings

You Rely Heavily on Sleep Aids

Suppose you are relying heavily on sleep aids, such as over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, prescription medicine or alcohol. In that case, this may be a sign that it is time to seek medical advice. While these substances might offer temporary relief for your sleep issues, they won’t address the root cause of your sleep disturbances. They can lead to problematic dependency or other health complications, especially alcohol and prescription medications. 

You May Have An Underlying Mental Health Condition 

Suppose you suffer from frequent recurring nightmares, night terrors, or sleep paralysis or find yourself experiencing vivid dreams that cause you distress and make you reluctant to sleep. In that case, this may indicate an underlying mental health condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), another sleep disorder, or even anxiety. Seeking support from a healthcare professional, such as a physician or mental health practitioner, can help you identify effective treatments, including therapy or medication for your mental health if necessary. If you experience this, it may be a sign to seek help with your sleep.

Sleep Hygiene Tips

For the final part of this article, we’ll share some sleep hygiene tips. 

Part of good sleep hygiene is healthy device use. The type of light emitted by smart devices such as phones and tablets disrupts the brain chemicals that help you get to sleep. You suggest or implement a rule for yourself that all devices are to be turned off by a specific time, such as 8 or 8:30 p.m.

Consider limiting your caffeine intake, such as coffee or energy drinks. These drinks can cause overstimulation and insomnia, especially if consumed in the late afternoon or evening. An herbal tea, juice, decaf coffee, or sugar-free soda is a much better drink to have in the afternoon or with dinner. 

Reading a book or magazine can be an excellent way to wind down at night without relying on a screen. You could also listen to a podcast, audiobook, or educational resource to help you upskill as you wind down.

However, if you still find it difficult to fall asleep even after improving your nighttime habits, you might consider additional options to support better rest. For instance, sleep supplements from reputable brands such as Kirkland sleep UK can often help promote relaxation and make it easier to maintain a consistent sleep routine.

A Sleep Summary

This helpful article explains why you may be struggling to sleep and when it is time to seek help from a medical professional for your sleep issues. 

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.