Why You Can’t Sleep (Plus a Few Options for Looking More Alert!)

Nov 30, 2016 by Dr. Garazo

New parents, stressed students, anxious adults—insomnia doesn’t discriminate. Most of us know the importance of a good night’s sleep and the impact lack of rest can have on our wellbeing, but do you know what may be causing sleep disruptions?

Refinery29 recently highlighted a number of surprising reasons you may always be tired; here are a few we found the most interesting.

It’s physical…

Underlying physical conditions, hormonal changes, and even your body’s reaction to a high pollen count can greatly impact your ability to sleep to peacefully.

It’s that time of the month. A few days before the menstruation cycle begins, estrogen levels spike—and this hormonal imbalance can make nodding off more difficult than normal.

How to help: drink a calming cup of camomile tea and take a relaxing bath before bedtime.

You snore. Trying to sleep next to a loud snorer can obviously keep you awake, but did you know that your own snoring may be intermittently rousing you throughout the night?

How to help: try breathing strips, adjusting your sleeping position, or talking with your doctor about other options like a CPAP machine for more serious conditions like sleep apnea.

You have allergies. Airborne, seasonal allergens can make breathing difficult in waking hours—and incredibly disruptive when you snooze. The combination of congestion and dryness in the mouth and throat can make for a miserable night.

How to help: try an over the counter medication or ask your physician for other options during the changing seasons.

It’s your surroundings…

They say you are a product of your environment, and that phrase is particularly accurate when it comes to your sleeping habits. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can change to help improve your sleep.

You’re stressed. Studies show that stress can be detrimental to our health in a number of ways—and one of the main causes of insomnia is an anxious mind.

How to help: avoid going to bed with unresolved conflicts; feelings of anger and upset make sleeping well nearly impossible. Additionally, soothing practices like meditation, yoga, or even venting to a friend or therapist can help ease the mind in times of mental and emotional distress

The weather outside is frightful. Extreme temperatures and off-balance humidity levels can make getting comfortable particularly difficult. When you add time changes and lack of sunshine to the equation, it’s unsurprising that many of us wake up groggy in the winter months.

How to help: if winter darkness has you feeling glum, consider purchasing a sunlamp or upping your intake of vitamin D.

Turn off your technology. Using a phone or watching TV before bed can over-stimulate your brain and upset your circadian cycle.

How to help: stop using your devices at least an hour before bed; instead, use that time for bedtime rituals that relax your mind and body.

Once you’ve figured out the cause, we can help you undo the damage

No one wants lasting reminders of a poor night’s sleep. If you’re noticing that you look fatigued even when well-rested, here are a few options to help:

Get the right products. Over-the-counter skincare products are typically not as effective as medical-grade products, which use clinically proven ingredients to provide long-lasting improvement.

Talk to a professional. Under-eye bags, drooping skin, and fine lines can dramatically age you—and they are near impossible to improve without a little help. Talk with a skincare professional working under physician supervision about your options, such as BOTOX or Dysport to soften lines around the eyes or professional treatments to improve skin health and reduce signs of aging.

Consider a lasting solution. If short-term treatments aren’t giving you the results you want, an eyelid lift is a great option for permanently reducing puffiness, droopy lids, and wrinkles around the eyes.

If you’re interested in changing your look and feeling better than ever, contact us today. We would love to discuss your options to restore your energetic look this holiday season.

Curious about the other 24 reasons you can’t sleep? See the full slideshow here.