5 Reasons Why a Student May Find it Hard to Sleep

Being unable to sleep, a situation otherwise known as insomnia might be due to a number of reasons. Here are 5 Reasons Why a Student May Find it Hard to Sleep:

1. Another Sleep Disorder

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes sensations in the legs which can be so uncomfortable it can prevent sufferers from easily falling asleep. An estimated 5 to 10 percent of people have RLS. Even when people with RLS get treatment that alleviates the desire to move the legs, sleepless nights often continue. A small 2013 found that this may be due to abnormally high levels of a neurotransmitter involved in arousal called glutamate in people with RLS.

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2. Chronic Pain

Any condition that leaves you in discomfort can understandably disrupt your sleep. Arthritis, low back pain, acid reflux, fibromyalgia — these and many more painful conditions can keep you up at night. The National Sleep Foundation’s 2015 Sleep in America poll found that just 36 percent of people with chronic pain said they consistently get good or very good sleep, while 65 percent of pain-free people said the same.

Also See: How Sleep And Dreams Might Help You Learn And Remember Better

3. Clinical Anxiety Or Depression

Our daily ups and downs can certainly keep us awake now and then, but an underlying anxiety disorder or clinical depression could be to blame if worries and concerns are consistently upsetting your sleep. To make matters worse, with anxiety disorders, worrying about sleep can make it additionally difficult to drift off.

As many as 80 percent of people with depression have trouble falling or staying asleep, according to WebMD. Some people with depression may also sleep too much.

Many students sleep off during class as a result of not getting adequate sleep at night.

4. Certain Medications

Drugs for conditions ranging from the common cold and high blood pressure to depression and asthma can cause insomnia. Even if you know to stop drinking coffee early enough in the day so as not to interfere with bedtime, several over-the-counter meds contain caffeine or other stimulants, according to the Mayo Clinic. Various prescription meds have been known to interfere with sleep either by disrupting REM sleep, blocking melatonin production, tampering with the body’s natural levels of various enzymes or other pathways, according to AARP.

5. Your Eating And Drinking Habits

Despite your best intentions, you may be consistently sabotaging your own sleep with what you eat and drink close to bedtime. Experts recommend cutting out caffeine at least six hours before hitting the hay. Keep in mind that caffeine is also present in surprising places, like chocolate and even decaf coffee. Alcohol, while initially helpful in falling asleep, can wake you up later in the night. And a big, heavy meal too close to bedtime can be too taxing on your digestive system for you to nod off easily or may also result in heartburn, which can certainly keep you awake.