Tossing and turning at night? You’re in good company. At any given time, about one out of three adults struggles with sleep issues. Whether yours is a recent problem or a lifelong woe, understanding the causes of insomnia is the first step toward getting the rest you need.
1. Stress, life events & disrupted routines
Stress strikes again. From daily deadlines to major life changes, stress is one of the leading causes of insomnia. Plus — as if you needed the reminder — it can strike anywhere. Even small disruptions, like an unfamiliar bed or a travel schedule, can trigger short‑term insomnia. From there, the effects can snowball.
“Stress activates the brain’s alert system, and once your body ‘learns’ how to be sleepless, it can be hard to unlearn it,” says Christina Abavana, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. “That’s how short-term insomnia turns into a long-term pattern.” To help break the cycle, try this...
