Most insomnia is treated by changing habits.
While most insomnia remains occasional, for about 10% of French people, it is regular and has consequences on daily functioning. If a third of insomniacs take sleeping pills, they are not without long-term risk.
Work on the cause of insomnia
To treat insomnia, you must first address its cause. Between an illness, pain, the side effects of certain medications, psychological problems or a sleep apnea syndrome, treating the cause can relieve insomnia.
But in most cases, it is bad habits that cause difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the night: sleeping with the television on, being on screens all night, eating too much at night or drinking alcohol. for example.
Talk to your doctor about alternatives
When insomnia sets in, a medical consultation is necessary to find a cause and work on sleep habits. Inspired by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to change certain habits and beliefs, certain recommendations are sufficient in most cases to improve the situation: go to bed only when you are sleepy, favor regular wake-up times, avoid consumption of ‘exciters and screens or engage in sufficient physical activity during the day.
If necessary, the doctor can also offer melatonin (for elderly people with a deficit), or plants such as valerian, for example, which can help you fall asleep. As for sleeping pills, because of their long-term addiction, they should be avoided or used for the shortest possible duration.
Find out more: “Sleep well, it can be learned!” by Benjamin Lubszynsky.
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