What's Happening?
A sleep researcher at Royal Holloway University of London has identified five common habits that exacerbate insomnia. Kirsty Vant suggests that strategies like going to bed earlier or staying up longer in the morning to compensate for lost sleep can backfire, weakening the association between bed and sleep. Instead, she recommends going to bed later and waking up at the same time every morning to strengthen sleep pressure. Vant also advises against banning screens entirely before bed, suggesting instead to use them strategically with calming content and 'night mode' options. Additionally, she highlights the importance of understanding individual responses to caffeine and warns against the obsession with optimizing sleep, which can worsen insomnia.
Why It's Important?
Insomnia affects millions of people, leading to health issues such as irritability, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Understanding the habits that worsen insomnia can help individuals improve their sleep quality and overall health. The advice provided by Vant challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical solutions that could benefit those struggling with sleep disorders. By addressing these habits, individuals may reduce their risk of insomnia and its associated health problems, potentially improving their quality of life.
What's Next?
Individuals suffering from insomnia may consider adopting the recommended habits to improve their sleep quality. Sleep researchers and healthcare providers might further investigate these strategies to validate their effectiveness and potentially incorporate them into treatment plans for insomnia. Public health campaigns could also focus on educating people about these findings to help reduce the prevalence of sleep disorders.
