• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Immunocompromised Care
    • Top Blacks in Healthcare
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Sleep Disorders / 5 Things Getting In The Way Of A Good Night’s Sleep

5 Things Getting In The Way Of A Good Night’s Sleep

circadian rhythm

As you become older, your sleep patterns can change and become inconsistent based on hormonal changes and your internal clock, also known as circadian rhythm. According to the National Sleep Foundation, circadian rhythm regulates “the timing of periods of sleepiness and wakefulness throughout the day.” Disruptions in your body’s natural sleep/wake cycle can impact weight gain/loss, mental health and whether you experience increased risk for heart-related events such as heart attack and stroke.

READ: Too Tired To Sleep? Here’s Why

Since sleep is so important to helping your body function better, it is important to know what may be coming between you and a good night’s sleep.

Here are some factors which could cause you to lose sleep:

1. Caffeine and alcohol intake.

circadian rhythm

Too much caffeine and alcohol can disrupt your sleep patterns. When you drink caffeine, which is a stimulant, it moves into your bloodstream and stays in your system for about six hours before half of the caffeine is eliminated. The more caffeine you drink, the more it stays in and stimulates your system.

You May Also Like
When Your Pudge Just Won't Budge! What to Do When Belly Fat Won't Go Away

Alcohol is a depressant but has a similar effect. Alcohol causes you to relax initially but works against you getting deeper, more restful sleep. Alcohol impacts your rapid eye movement, also known as your REM or deep sleep. While you may initially fall asleep after having alcohol, it disrupts your sleep as the night goes on and you have less REM sleep.

2. Loneliness can cause sleepless nights.

Feeling as though you are alone or as though you have a lack of support from others in your life can impact your sleep patterns. A small study from the University of Chicago found that participants who felt lonely experienced more nighttime disruptions and restlessness.

READ: Drink This At Night To Shrink Your Stomach While You Sleep

If you are feeling lonely and believe this could be impacting your sleep, build a support system around you. When people have a support system, this helps them achieve better rest. Develop friendships and networks with people who can be there when you are going through tough times so you don’t feel as though you are dealing with things on your own. Additionally, staying active in the community, doing volunteer work, or participating in hobbies can help you counter those feelings of loneliness.

3. Working the night shift can throw off your body’s internal clock.

circadian rhythm

Your internal clock can impact and shape much of your sleep cycle, but insomnia can set in if you try to sleep outside of

You May Also Like
Does PNH Feel Like a Burden Within? Consider a Clinical Trial. PNH Clinical Trial Enrolling - See If You’re Eligible

Continue Reading

The Latest In Sleep Disorders

sleep positions

The Worst Sleep Position for Your Body

Did you know that how you sleep affects your health?  There are some common sleep positions that could be good or bad for you. See which one applies to you below: 1. On Your Back, Arms at Sides Sleeping on read more about The Worst Sleep Position for Your Body
Tips on how to sleep better at night

9 Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

When counting sheep just won't do, you need a plan of attack to make sure you get your rest. Here are the top tips for a good night's sleep that you may not have heard of before. RELATED: 7 Bedtime Behaviors read more about 9 Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep Apnea: Hidden Warning Signs

Sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder wherein breathing stops for brief periods of time, often dozens of times per night. Three Types of Sleep Apnea There are three general types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea read more about Sleep Apnea: Hidden Warning Signs
signs of sleep apnea

5 Overlooked Signs Of Sleep Apnea

Evaluating our own sleep is difficult because well, we're asleep. While we may notice “small” things like waking up to cough or catch our breath, these symptoms are often dismissed about as soon as we fall back into a deep read more about 5 Overlooked Signs Of Sleep Apnea
sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea Speeds Aging, Here’s How to Reverse It

Research shows that although sleep apnea is common among Blacks, it is largely undiagnosed (nearly 95 percent of cases, were undiagnosed and untreated). Sleep apnea has an ever-growing list of health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, and other read more about Sleep Apnea Speeds Aging, Here’s How to Reverse It
CPAP machine

Sleep Apnea 101: Everything You Need To Know For A Better Sleep

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can be very serious. In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause typically lasts 10-20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times read more about Sleep Apnea 101: Everything You Need To Know For A Better Sleep

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

Singer of 90’s R&B Group Passes Away at 43

Singer of 90’s R&B Group Passes Away at 43

Woman Loses Arms & Legs After Eating Tilapia — Should You Be Worried?

Woman Loses Arms & Legs After Eating Tilapia — Should You Be Worried?

Black History of Health: Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton

Is There A Remedy For “Stiff” Knees?

stiff knee remedy

The 6 Pillars Of Dementia Prevention

dementia prevention
Find a Culturally Sensitive Doctor

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.