According to the Sleep Health Foundation, around one in three people living in the United States experience at least mild insomnia. When a person is living with insomnia, he or she is unable to get the sleep needed for optimal health.
Fortunately, help is available for people experiencing insomnia. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants you to know the main causes of insomnia, as well as what foods you should avoid when it comes to promoting good sleep.
What Is the Main Cause of Insomnia?
Let’s first consider what insomnia is. It can look different for every person, and it may cause difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early.
A number of factors can increase your risk of experiencing insomnia. These may include stress, anxiety and depression, which emphasizes the role that your mental health plays in getting good sleep.
Different Types of Insomnia
- Acute insomnia
- Chronic insomnia
- Comorbid insomnia
- Onset insomnia
- Maintenance insomnia
How Can You Prevent Insomnia?
The best thing you can do to promote healthy sleep and prevent insomnia is to practice healthy sleep hygiene. What is sleep hygiene? It’s essentially a set of basic habits that help promote sleep.
Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day, practice a bedtime routine that may include a bath or reading a book, keep your bedroom cool and dark, and eliminate the use of electronics in the hour or so before bedtime. You should also watch what you eat, since certain foods can contribute to insomnia.
Foods That Can Cause Insomnia
- Caffeine
- Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and goji berries
- Alcohol
- Aged, fermented, cured, smoked and cultured foods
- Sugar, flour and other refined carbs
Could your sleep troubles be due to an underlying health condition? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Gastonia today. No appointment is necessary!
