If you have trouble sleeping, you know how bad it can be. Insomnia, or not being able to sleep at all or through the night for a long time, can lead to depression, stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, behavioral problems, obesity, and heart disease, among other health problems. It also makes us less happy and less useful. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can affect every part of your life.

There are ways to fix this problem, and of course, if nothing you try works, it’s important to see a doctor. But getting to the bottom of why you can’t sleep could help a lot. If you know why it will be easier to deal with. With that in mind, here are some of the main reasons why people get this condition.

Your Age

As we get older, we don’t need as much sleep, which can throw off our sleeping schedules. If you are older and still sleep the same way you always have, like going to bed at the same time and setting your alarm for the same time, this could be why you can’t sleep.

In other words, you’re trying to force yourself to sleep by going to bed when you’re not tired. If you do sleep, you’ll wake up earlier than you used to because you don’t need as much sleep as you used to. You might think you have insomnia, but your body is just changing how it sleeps. If this is the case, do something fun with your extra time, like read, learn a new skill online such as studying 200 hour yoga instructor training, or work out.

Chronic Pain

When you want to sleep, pain will always make it hard. Even if you are very tired, if something hurts on your body, it is likely to keep you awake. It’s annoying, but you’re also hurting, so it’s a bad situation all around.

So, it makes sense to try to find ways to make your chronic pain less painful. This isn’t always easy, and some people need to see a doctor because they need to take certain medicines. But some people find that buying painkillers over the counter is a good way to ease their pain. Some people find that exercise, especially swimming or Pilates, can help. Find and try what works for you, and you should hopefully sleep better.

Poor Sleep Environment 

Did you know that your bedroom might be the reason you can’t sleep? It’s funny, but the one room you want to sleep in might be keeping you awake. Your bedroom has to be just right for you to sleep well. If it’s too hot, too bright, too cluttered, or has too many screens (one screen is too many when you’re trying to sleep because screens give off blue light that tricks the body into thinking it’s still daytime), for example, you won’t sleep well.

Is there anything you can change in your room that would make it better for you? It’s easy to clean up, and buying more storage could be a good idea. Blackout blinds make it easier to keep the room dark, and a fan can help with the temperature. Think about your bedding as well. If it’s too thick or made of materials that aren’t comfortable, you won’t be able to relax in bed.