Insomnia
Don’t go to sleep. So many people die there. ~ Mark Twain
Insomnia is the sleep disorder of insufficiency: either inability to fall asleep, or to stay asleep as long as needed.
15–30% of the adult population suffers from insomnia. Prevalence is up to 65% for shift workers, who are chronically forced to be awake at unnatural times.
Insomnia is not a nighttime disorder. It’s a 24-hour brain condition, like a light switch that is always on. ~ American neurobiologist Rachel Salas
Stress often causes sleeplessness. Stress can lead to chronic insomnia, depending upon the mental response.
The healthiest response to stressful events is to realize that whatever is bothering you is not worth losing sleep over, especially considering that sleep is the best problem solver. But then, the healthiest attitude is to worry over nothing, as nothing is worth worry, as worry solves nothing anyway.
Don’t worry, be happy. ~ Indian guru Meher Baba
Chronic insomnia is a disruption of circadian rhythm and altered brain activity.
Various chemical treatments for insomnia have been tried throughout history: none especially successfully from a health standpoint. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks employed extracts of the opium poppy and the hemp plant. Even modern medications are unhealthy when taken for any duration, as they disrupt the intelligence system and have untoward side effects.
While science still struggles to understand insomnia, its roots lie in the mind. The cure involves a healthy lifestyle. The best and safest treatments for insomnia are meditation and a determination to set fearful thoughts aside for the worthlessness that they are.
The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep. ~ W.C. Fields
