Life today is fast. From the freeway to fast food, it seems like we’re all moving faster and faster. The speed of modern life causes almost every one of us to have more on our plate than can be accomplished in a 24-hour day. Instead of slowing down and taking time for ourselves, we try to offset the lack of available time with less relaxation, less sleep and very little exercise. Most people rationalize this behavior by telling themselves that the more they get accomplished the less worry and stress they’ll have. By checking off things on their ‘to do’ list they can feel more ‘successful’ and not have to feel guilty over tasks uncompleted. Of course they feel worn out, they are always fighting a cold, have a constant headache and are always grumpy, but they are getting things done.

I’m wondering if you can relate to this scenario. If you are like most people, you probably can. The problem with living like this is that it is one of the biggest reasons for stress insomnia, which can cycle out of control. Let’s examine the common reasons for insomnia as well as some insomnia treatment ideas.

Your busy lifestyle might be giving you a busy mind syndrome. The ‘busy mind’ syndrome is characterized by worry and anxiety over situations or problems that your mind keeps revisiting, over and over. For example, you might be watching TV, but your mind keeps drifting back to work, financial problems, an issue with your relationship or just thinking about what you need to do tomorrow. Later, when you finally lie down and try to go to sleep, you find it impossible because your mind’s still spinning out of control. You may eventually dose off into a restless sleep, but wake up a few hours later, not even realizing what woke you. You may toss and turn for an hour or so before you can again fall asleep again. Then, when the alarm goes off, you wake up groggy, tired and fatigued.

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