5 surprising triggers of insomnia

If you can’t seem to fall asleep at night, and not even counting sheep helps, you might have insomnia. Insomnia makes falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, a challenge. The issue can be acute—meaning it lasts only a few days or weeks—or chronic, meaning it lasts for at least one month. Most cases of chronic insomnia are the result of an underlying health condition, medication side effect, or other sleep disorder. Acute insomnia tends to be brought on by specific events, such as stress at home or work.

If you spend hours each night tossing and turning, sleep for only short periods, wake up too early, or wake up feeling like you didn’t sleep, talk to your healthcare provider (HCP). Insomnia can be treated with medication, but changing some of your everyday habits, like the foods you eat and your bedtime routine, can be effective, too. Find out five common triggers of insomnia and get to the bottom of your sleepless nights.