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Insomnia: Improving Your Sleep

Table of Contents


Overview

Insomnia is the inability to sleep well. Insomnia may make it hard for you to get to sleep, stay asleep, or sleep as long as you need to. This can make you tired and grouchy during the day. It can also make you forgetful, less effective at work, and unhappy.

Insomnia can be linked to many things. These include health problems, medicines, and stressful events.

Treatment may include treating problems that may be linked with your insomnia. Treatment also includes behavior and lifestyle changes. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). CBT-I uses different ways to help you change your thoughts and behaviors that may interfere with sleep. Your doctor can recommend specific things you can try. Examples include doing relaxation exercises, keeping regular bedtimes and wake times, limiting alcohol, and making healthy sleep habits. Some people decide to take medicine for a while to help with sleep.


How can you sleep better?

There are many steps you can take that may improve your sleep. Follow the treatment plan that you and your doctor made to help you sleep better. Here are a few examples.


Credits for Insomnia: Improving Your Sleep

Current as of: July 10, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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