Causes of insomnia fall into three main categories: Psychological, Physical and Temporary. Allergies, asthma, heart disease and high blood pressure are common physical medical problems which can make it difficult to sleep.

Women suffer from sleepless nights when they are menstruating as their body temperature increases. During the day when our body temperature levels increase we become more alert and energized. During the night our body temperature drops and in turn, our alertness reduces and we become sleepier. This is why it’s often difficult to fall asleep during hot summer nights.

A hot bath an hour or so before bedtime can be very effective at inducing sleep especially during winter. Although it increases your body's temperature and energy levels, the quick drop in temperature can accelerate the drift into sleep. Be aware that you should not have a hot bath just before going to bed, as your body will need an hour or so to cool down.

You may also want to avoid this during summer as it may be difficult to cool down quickly. A cool room is important for a good nights sleep. In fact having a cool shower in the summer instead, can have the same affect.

Physical causes of insomnia such as Sleep Apnea; a sleep disorder in which the sufferer temporarily stops breathing during sleep and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) in which the sufferer experiences rhythmic jerking of the feet or legs during sleep are common. Physical pain such as a backache or even a headache can often be the disrupt sleep. However, often these pains are manifested from psychological causes.

Anxiety and stress are common problems which occur seamlessly with daily life. Triggers are often due to financial worries, relationships or work related issues. These issues build up easily and we often feel helpless, tense and worry as a result.

Each time we ignore the body’s signal that we are under too much stress or anxiety, we experience a spike of released chemicals and adrenaline from the body. This is unhealthy for the body and mind and should not be ignored. Stressful experiences and negative reactions to those experiences can become ingrained into our psyche. These factors can lead to negative behavior patterns, which are difficult to change and break out of, especially when we can not learn to cope with life’s stresses.

Stress is an overproduction of adrenalin and other hormones, when these hormones are not expelled quick enough, we experience a spike. This can cause damage to our mental and physical state of being. For us to expel these stress hormones, we need to allow the body to engage in a strenuous activity, which is not easy if you’re stuck in front of a desk for 9 hours of the day.

What we all need to realize is that we do have control of our thoughts and emotions. Some people may wake up and feel that they are not in control of their thoughts and emotions. When we learn to be controllers of our thoughts and emotions, we can essentially be whoever we want to be. We can choose to be happy and we can choose not to be affected.

Stress can lead to psychosomatic illnesses. Depression is often the result of too much stress and anxiety. It is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, sadness and despair. A high proportion of people who suffer from depression tend to experience frequent sleeplessness.

Temporary causes of insomnia such as Jet lag and working night shifts can affect the body’s normal sleep cycle. It’s common to experience a few nights or even a few weeks of insomnia when the body or mind experiences irregularity and requires adjustment. Moving house or experiencing traumatic events can also cause temporary sleeplessness, although on some occasions it is possible to develop insomnia if the sufferer is unable to adjust quickly.

This article presents common causes of insomnia. If you found this article useful please leave a comment and stay tuned for more.