Do you hate to hear that annoying alarm clock sound in the morning? Do you ever wake up and think it’s the weekend and OOPS! It’s Monday! Bummer! Are you tired even before you start your workday at 8:00am?  Are you ready to go to bed when you get home from work or school? Well, if you have difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, you are not alone. These are common sleep issues.

Difficulty falling asleep – is what it sounds like- you can’t get to sleep. You may feel wide awake when you know you need to be drowsy. Perhaps worries and anxieties keep your mind so busy that you can’t relax. Maybe noises or bright lights outside your window are drawing your attention. Whatever the cause, you can’t fall asleep easily, or at all.

Difficulty staying asleep – is different. You may fall asleep when you want to, but you awaken in the middle of the night or too early in the morning. Once awake, you feel totally alert and can’t go back to sleep. If you’re anxious, your racing thoughts may begin at this point, keeping you from going back to sleep.

There can be underlying medical conditions that you might want to speak with your physician about, such as sleep apnea, menopause, chronic pain, low blood sugar, etc. They will be the best to diagnose your condition and treat it.

Another reason can be your mental health.  Concerns such as anxiety, depression, emotional pain can also affect your sleep.  Breathing exercises, sleep hygiene, relaxation tips, etc. can be helpful. You can reach out to EAN to help you sort out these sleep concerns out and get some suggestions and recommendations.

A good night’s sleep can make a world of difference! So, go catch some “zzzzzzzzz’s”!