Have you ever had a night when you wanted to sleep but instead you were up, making tomorrow’s to-do list or cleaning out your closets or binge watching infomercials? Have you had several of those nights strung together… maybe even for weeks or months at a time? Insomnia makes it difficult for many people to receive the sleep they need. Often, people who struggle with insomnia are extremely tired, but they cannot achieve a state of mental calm so they can catch those Zs.
There is no silver bullet for better sleep, but many people with sleep disruptions have had their rest restored through cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). This holistic treatment equips people with practical steps that optimize their body’s ability to sleep. And going deeper, it also may uncover and treat insomnia’s root cause.
The licensed counselors and therapists at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO offer holistic insomnia treatment and sleep therapy to help their clients reclaim a good night’s sleep.
What Are the Effects of Insomnia?
Enough sleep is foundational for emotional and physical health. Sleep restores the human mind and body. Rest may bring healing. Rest may rejuvenate. Rest can make us more creative, productive, and focused. Sleep disruptions rob people of these benefits and can leave difficult side effects in their wake.
Insomnia’s side effects often include…
- Constant fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Weight gain
- Decreased sex drive
- Anxiety
- Irritability
What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia and its difficult side effects can have various causes, both internal and external.
- External Causes — Sleep disturbances may arise during times of major life transitions such as moves, family difficulties, and job changes. Sleep environment can also make sleeping difficult and trigger insomnia.
- Internal Causes — Certain people are more susceptible to sleep disruptions because of a medical condition, their family history, or the medications they take. Insomnia often accompanies medical difficulties such as restless leg syndrome, heartburn, menopause, depression, or chronic pain.
The licensed mental health providers at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO can help clients explore physical as well as emotional causes for sleep disruptions.
What Do Sleep Disruptions Look Like?
Insomnia can take different forms in different people.
Maybe your insomnia is like Anna’s. She lies awake for hours before falling asleep. Anna wants to fall asleep at a reasonable hour each night, but she has trouble. Often, Anna cannot fall asleep until three or four in the morning. Occasionally, she is awake all night.
Maybe you are like Jared. He falls asleep easily each night, but then Jared will wake up after just a short rest. He wants to sleep through the night, and at times, he has returned to sleep for an hour or two before dawn. However, many nights, Jared is not getting the sleep he needs.
The sleep specialists at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO can educate clients about the importance of proper sleep hygiene and offer expert guidance for getting that good night’s sleep they covet.
What Are the Best Treatments for Insomnia?
Each client faces unique sleep disruptions and particular root causes for those disruptions. Our insomnia counselors may find individualized, practical steps that may lead to better sleep. Sometimes, our professionals work with their clients on…
- Limiting sleep. In order to sleep more at night, some people need to limit their daytime sleep or limit the time they spend in bed. Catnaps may help people get through their day after a rough night’s sleep, but they may also contribute to the insomnia. Similarly, some people relax in bed when they are tired but not sleeping. Doing this may confuse the body whereas using your bed only for sleep or sex allows the body to associate that space with rest. Thriveworks counselors often guide their clients toward sleeping patterns that facilitate the body’s ability to sleep.
- Practicing a meditation routine. The thought of sleeping can cause anxiety in people who struggle with sleep disturbances, but our counselors in Littleton, CO have helped their clients learn how to channel their thoughts away from the anxiety and toward relaxing, calming, and peaceful thoughts. With time and practice, a nightly meditation routine can help the body and mind prepare for sleep.
- Adjusting diet and exercise. Fatigue from insomnia often means that people drop their exercise routine and reach for caffeine. While caffeine can help with alertness in the short-term, in the long-run, too much caffeine can perpetuate the sleep disruption. Similarly, exercising during the day can prepare the body for nighttime rest. Our professionals often guide their clients to make informed, proactive choices about diet and exercise.
- CBT. Our professionals often use a holistic treatment for insomnia—cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). There is no magic formula or silver bullet for better sleep, but Thriveworks providers can help you explore what may be causing insomnia and guide you toward effective solutions.
Get Exceptional Insomnia Treatment at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO
Insomnia counseling has guided many clients toward effective adjustments in their life that optimize their chances for a good night’s sleep. The combination of practical adjustments and treatment of insomnia’s root causes often leads to sweet dreams. The insomnia counselors at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO have appointments available and are ready to help. Call to schedule your time. We have convenient night and weekend appointments. We also offer online counseling sessions and in-person sessions. Thriveworks accepts many health insurance plans, helping to keep mental health care affordable to all who can benefit.
Insomnia can make life harder. Setting up an appointment for insomnia counseling should be easy. We look forward to helping you get started!
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