Do you have trouble sleeping? I used to. Some of my problem was due to anxiety. There is a great deal of research that has been done about the relationship between insomnia and anxiety. If you are having trouble sleeping your lack of sleep may be anxiety related too.

According to experts, insomnia can usually be classified into four levels. These are 1) difficulty in falling asleep, 2) difficulties with staying asleep, 3) waking up earlier than planned and 4) sleep state misperception. If you are having difficulty sleeping it would be a good idea to see which of these categories you fall in to.

A bigger question is how much sleep so you need to stay alert during the day? Scientists tell us that, on average humans require eight hours of sleep per night but individual studies have shown that needs vary from person to person. There are a number of easy to recognize signs that are used to show healthy sleep.

The first is that a good night sleep comes easily without resorting to drugs. Second, if you do wake up in the middle of the night you can quickly fall back to sleep. Third, waking up occurs naturally each time and at the same time even without an alarm clock. Forth and finally, once you are up, you feel awake and alert all day.

An anxiety sleep disorder will usually result if one or more of the above requirements are not met. One of the biggest reasons for having difficulty sleeping is stress. One of the best stress relief tips you can use to overcome your trouble sleeping is to make the time before going to bed a pleasant period that is quiet and relaxed. This is especially true if you have a busy, trying day. Take an hour or so to do something enjoyable and sleep provoking before retiring for bed.

Sometimes, you may experience trouble sleeping that may last for a number of nights. Usually this is a result of a combination of stress and an environment which may heighten your stress levels. One cause that affects me is extreme temperature changes, especially when it gets uncomfortably warm. Some people have problems sleeping in cooler weather. Jet lag has also been linked to both insomnia and anxiety insomnia and can make it tough to sleep for many nights.

Another major cause of an anxiety sleep disorder is the feelings associated with depression. Depression is often accompanied with trouble sleeping.

All of these situations can become worse when the sufferer takes excessive caffeine, takes alcohol before bedtime, smokes before going to sleep, takes afternoon siestas or has an irregular sleep/wake pattern. In order to overcome your trouble sleeping you need to eliminate these factors.

One of the greatest effects of insomnia is when you wake up tired and are unable to function as you normally would. Your impaired concentration can result in impaired driving which, of course, can be dangerous. Insomnia may also result in impaired memory which can result in poor judgments or decisions. People who have long term insomnia also tend to be irritable and emotional as a result of sleep deprivation.

The facts are in. Insomnia and anxiety go hand in hand. Your trouble sleeping can affect everything and everyone around you. If you find that insomnia is affecting your quality of life it is advisable to talk to a physician or sleep specialist about the problem so that you can find a solution as soon as possible.

Wil Dieck is the founder of Total Mind Therapy and author of an e-Course “Overcoming Insomnia” that you can have at absolutely no charge. Drop by http://howtosleepinfo.com/ for your copy today.