Understanding Insomnia: Causes, Signs and Ways to Overcome it

Lying awake, tossing, and turning can be a very frustrating experience, especially when we know we are tired, or have a big day ahead of us. 

Many of us experience trouble sleeping from time to time, so what is it and what causes insomnia?

Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It is a very common sleep disorder. In the UK, as many as one in three people suffer from bouts of sleeplessness or disruption to their sleep-wake cycle, either occasionally or regularly. Persistent insomnia can negatively affect your quality of life. 

There are three main types of insomnia;

• Transient insomnia - less than one month
• Short-term insomnia - between one and six months
• Chronic insomnia - more than six months or three or more sleepless nights per week for a month

Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors, including a genetic or hereditary component. Common triggers of insomnia include the following;

• Jet lag
• Night shift work
• Health conditions such as Parkinson’s disease
• A traumatic event such as divorce or bereavement
• Health conditions such as chronic pain, hyperthyroidism, acid reflux, kidney disease, cancer and long COVID
• Hormonal changes in females (PMS, menopause)
• Stress, anxiety, and depression
• Poor sleep environment, too light or noisy, hot or cold, uncomfortable mattress, whereas Simba mattresses are engineered to offer responsive support. The Simba Hybrid® Ultra Mattress has our highest number of Aerocoil® springs that compress to suit around your body shape and sleeping style for more tailored support.
• Stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol 
• Medications such as antidepressants
• As a symptom of an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea or restless legs 

Insomnia is a complex condition without a one-size-fits-all solution. Sleeping pills are usually a last resort, so the best way to overcome short-term insomnia is to improve your sleep hygiene. 

Sleep hygiene is a behavioural and environmental practice to optimise your chances of a restorative night’s sleep - and basically describes good sleep habits. The following tips can help;

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule - go to bed and wake up at the same time every day and avoid naps
• Follow a nightly wind-down routine
• Avoid blue light or screen use for up to one hour before bed
• Limit caffeine and alcohol
• Be physically active during the day
• Listen to white noise
• Over-the-counter sleep aids or supplements such as melatonin or valerian
• See a GP if there is no improvement
• Create the best sleep environment possible; sound proofing, black out blinds, best quality, responsive mattress and breathable bedding, ear plugs, eye mask and making sure you’re not too hot or too cold
• The Simba Hybrid® Luxe excels in offering fresher sleep. Each layer in the sumptuous 31 cm deep mattress works cohesively to promote airflow and is designed to offer cooler comfort
• The Simba Hybrid® Pillow offers a restful slumber thanks to its ‘cool-touch’ Stratos® tech and its adjustable height and firmness. You can remove some of the unique Nanocube® core you prefer your pillows softer, or try our Hybrid® Firm Pillow for firmer support. It might be that you need a combination to find your best pillow comfort level, in which case our full Pillow range is a great place to start.

• Use a sleep diary to identify any triggers
• If you’re getting frustrated, get up and do another gentle activity such a read a book, take a bath, meditate, or stretch
• Follow the 10 3 2 1 0 sleep rule - cut out caffeine 10 hours before bed, don’t eat or drink alcohol 3 hours before bed, stop working 2 hours before bed, turn off screens and put away your phone one hour before bed, and hit the snooze button 0 times as it disrupts REM sleep. 
• Be kind to yourself and counter self-defeating thoughts with sleep-promoting ones
• Use mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing to relax the mind