Sleep is essential as it helps you rest and recover so you can function at your best. Unfortunately, while sleep comes easy to some, many struggle every night when their head hits the pillow.

The term insomnia is often used to refer to all types of sleeping problems, but learning about the specific subtypes of insomnia can increase your ability to address these problems.

Read on to learn more about a common type of insomnia known as Sleep-maintenance Insomnia.

 is defined as any or all of the following;  trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, or feeling tired during the day. The constellation of symptoms that you struggle with will impact which treatments work best.

The term sleep maintenance insomnia, also known as middle insomnia, refers to the challenge of staying asleep throughout an entire night. This is defined as waking up during the middle of the night and finding it hard to fall back to sleep once you do wake up. This type of awakening can happen multiple times throughout the night, leading to fragmented and insufficient sleep.

The main symptom and indicator of sleep maintenance insomnia is waking up during the middle of the night and having a hard time going back to sleep. Other symptoms are sleep anxiety, daytime sleepiness, inability to concentrate, headaches, and irritable mood.

. In addition to the long, frustrating sleepless nights, it also can affect both mental and physical health.

 consequences include the inability to function and perform. It lowers reaction time which means routine tasks such as driving become unsafe. Further, 

 of the heart, mind, and hormonal system. 

 are also common in patients with persistent insomnia.

What Can Cause Sleep-Maintenance Insomnia?

Waking up during the night is normal; most of us do. However, we do expect to have the ability to fall back to sleep fairly quickly. So if you find yourself waking up and having difficulty going back to sleep, for at least three out of seven nights per week, for three months or more, you are likely struggling with sleep-maintenance insomnia.

It can be helpful to consider all the factors that may be creating this frustrating cycle such as:

such as pain, breathing or digestive problems, hormones, or a full bladder

 such as  stress, anxiety or other psychological concerns (mood disorders)

 such as your sleep schedule, caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol intake, or technology habits

Sleep-maintenance insomnia, like other forms of insomnia, is 

. such as exercising regularly and establishing a relaxing bedtime routine. Resisting daytime naps and going to bed only when sleepy is also recommended, as is avoiding stimulants such as caffeine before bed.

Sleep-maintenance insomnia often develops because we have taught our brains to respond to natural wake-ups with hyperarousal. We worry about being awake during the middle of the night. To unlearn this and train your brain not to be afraid, we can use a user-friendly behavioral techniques from CBT-I such as stimulus control.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

 therapy that directly addresses the link between thoughts, behaviors, and habits. It enables you to form healthier habits and cope with stress and the negative thoughts associated with insomnia. These, as discussed earlier, are the common causes of a chronic sleep=maintenance insomnia pattern.

To get more information about sleep-maintenance insomnia and use 

 to treat your sleep-maintenance insomnia, 

Sleep-maintenance insomnia, also known as middle insomnia, is a common form of insomnia. Read more about what it is, what can cause it, and how to treat it.

Sleep Maintenance/Middle Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment | Dawn Health

Sleep Maintenance/Middle Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

The emergence of the COV-SARS-2 virus has changed everything. From work to simple everyday activities such as food shopping, nothing is the same.

While some effects of COVID are apparent, others are not. This is why it's easy to overlook the influence of COVID on sleep.

Read on to learn more about how COVID can affect your sleep and what you can do about it.

 is defined as any or all of the following;  trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, or feeling tired during the day. Acute insomnia or short-term insomnia can last for a few days or a few weeks. Chronic insomnia is when you have trouble sleeping three or more nights out of seven for three months or longer.

You probably have insomnia if you see yourself in these statements:

You struggle to fall asleep, even though you feel sleepy when you go to bed, and often stay awake 30 minutes or longer before you fall asleep,

You wake up during the night and struggle for 10-15 minutes or more to fall back to sleep,

You wake up earlier than you would like to and cannot fall back to sleep

You feel tired and unable to focus during the day,

You can't nap even though you are tired and try to do so.

 or “Coronasomnia” describes sleeping problems caused by COVID. This is not to say that insomnia is a symptom of COVID, because it's not! COVID does, however, directly and indirectly influence sleep.

, can affect your body’s ability to have restorative sleep. The blocked nasal passages, difficulty breathing, fever spikes, and chills, etc. interfere with the body’s ability to go into the deeper stages of sleep. Fortunately, for patients that recover, these are short-lived.

Since this pandemic is a source of stress and 

,  insomnia even affects those not diagnosed with COVID. In fact, the incidence of depression and anxiety has more than 

 over the last year. This correlates with the rising 'insomnia levels' worldwide as everyone’s constant stress causes 

, which prevents the body from relaxing for sleep. A study estimates 

 of the population is currently struggling with insomnia - a 

Additionally, spending most of the time indoors and irregular work routines disrupts the 

. The circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock responsible for physical, mental, and behavioral changes.  This means the body produces the hormone that 

The negative impact of insomnia on health is well-documented. Short term, it affects mood and the ability to function and perform. In the long run, it 

 for heart, brain, and endocrine system diseases. 

 such as anxiety and depression are also common in patients with chronic insomnia.

Importantly, insomnia weakens the immune system increasing susceptibility to infections such as COVID-19. This creates a 

 – COVID can lead to insomnia which in turn can create a higher susceptibility to catching viruses such as COVID.

Insomnia is entirely treatable. A variety of treatment options exist, from lifestyle modifications to sleeping pills. Not all treatments are equally effective, though.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)

 that addresses underlying issues such as stress causing insomnia. It is a form of talking therapy that focuses directly on the link between thoughts, behaviors, and habits.

CBT-I is so effective because COVID insomnia, like many other forms of insomnia, is thought to be perpetuated long after your body heals due to your associated thought patterns and subsequent behaviors. Thus, by challenging unhelpful beliefs, and changing your habits, CBT-I can help you sleep better.

To learn more about CBT-I and how it can treat your COVID insomnia, visit 

The pandemic has affected the way that we sleep in numerous ways, whether you have COVID or not. Looking past being sick, COVID has caused stress and anxiety. 

The pandemic has affected the way that we sleep, whether you have COVID or not. Looking beyond being sick, COVID has caused stress and anxiety. Learn how COVID can impact your sleep.

COVID Insomnia | Can COVID Cause Insomnia? | Dawn Health

COVID and insomnia: Can COVID cause insomnia?

Sleep deprivation is an unavoidable part of becoming a mother. Caring for an infant isn't easy. Coupled with abrupt changes in hormone levels, sleep is often a distant reality. Thus, it is normal for moms to suffer a drop in energy and mood in the first few weeks after giving birth.

For many women, sleep troubles begin even earlier -- during pregnancy. Research shows that up to 

 of pregnant women have trouble sleeping, with 

 suffering from insomnia during their first trimester. Are you one of these women? If so, don't worry. This is completely normal and can happen to anyone. 

Read on to learn more about pregnancy insomnia and what you can do to treat it.

 is defined as one or more of the following:  falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, or feeling tired during the day. These symptoms occur even when you give your body the opportunity for sleep (as opposed to the symptoms associated with sleep deprivation). 

The following questions are a good way to help you recognize if you have insomnia.

Do you find yourself struggling to sleep? Even if you do sleep, do you wake up several times during the night? Do you wake up earlier than you would like to in the morning? Are you tired during the day and find it difficult to focus? Do you feel tired but unable to nap?

If you are able to answer “yes” to any of these questions, and this has been your experience for more days than not for at least one month, you are likely experiencing insomnia.

Sleep disturbances such as insomnia are common in pregnancy. In fact, insomnia is the most common sleep disturbance experienced by pregnant women.

Sleep issues and changes in sleep patterns often begin during the first trimester. These are likely a result of the rapid 

. For example, levels of progesterone rise during the first trimester and can affect your sleep cycle. Sleep can also be impacted by environmental stressors and/or pre-existing psychological or medical conditions

As pregnancy progresses, many women find it hard to get comfortable enough to sleep well. It's not just the baby belly, though. Other 

 that affect sleep duration and quality include: 

Trips to the restroom; When you're pregnant, using the restroom in the middle of the night is common and can keep you awake.

Snoring. During pregnancy, your nasal passages may expand, causing you to snore. This may briefly block breathing over and over during sleep (If you have trouble breathing while trying to sleep, talk to your doctor. You may want to assess for sleep apnea, a medical condition).

Psychological factors can also cause insomnia. With a new baby on the way, there is so much to think about. The constant stress and anxiety adds to your sleeping woes.

While insomnia during pregnancy is common, it usually does not mean anything is medically problematic. Fortunately, simple lifestyle modifications, especially changes to your sleep habits, can help.

For example, experimenting with different sleeping positions can work. You can also set yourself up for a peaceful night by focusing on shifting into a more relaxed state.  before bed. Have a warm bath or reward yourself with a relaxing massage. Listen to soothing natural noises.

Fine-tuning your environment is also important. Adjust your thermostat to your ideal temperature and remove any unnecessary distractions, such as your television or bright lights.

What you do during the day can have a significant impact on how you promote or interfere with your sleep. If you have the opportunity to sleep during the day, consider taking advantage of it. Though longer naps can disrupt your sleep schedule, shorter amounts of sleeping, or even resting, can be nourishing. Exercising during the day can also help you de-stress and sleep better. Be sure to discuss exercise with your doctor so you know which types of exercise are safe for you.

If your insomnia persists despite these changes, consult a doctor. Doctors may recommend non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

 for treating various forms of insomnia. It is a cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on the premise that how we think, our behaviors, and our emotions are all linked and influence one another. CBT-I can help patients manage how their sleep-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors promote and interfere with sleep. 

 are among the most effective techniques for bringing about change. CBT-I uses both to identify and replace the thoughts and behaviors causing your sleep problems. It reframes your perception of sleep so that you spend more time sleeping and less worrying about it. It also supports a routine that supports your body’s natural ability to know when and how to fall asleep and stay asleep. 

To learn how to overcome your insomnia during pregnancy and get a good night’s sleep with 

Wondering why you're struggling to sleep during early pregnancy? Learn how changes to your body are causing insomnia, and how to deal with pregnancy insomnia.