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Sleep and Insomnia

Sleep and insomnia can be influenced by many factors, including sleep habits, stress, health conditions and the timing of the body’s circadian rhythm. When sleep problems are related to a misaligned body clock, appropriately timed light exposure may help shift circadian timing. retimer provides wearable light therapy that can be scheduled according to the desired change in sleep and wake times.

Do you have insomnia?

That seems like a fair question. But it also sounds like a question that implies a disease or disorder, like “do you have pneumonia”? Although “insomnia” is a single word, it is not a disease in the normal sense.

“Insomnia” is not a specific problem, but can be a range of problems with a range of different causes. It is a complex problem that involves all aspects of our being (biological, mental, and social). In general, insomnia is the inability to get adequate sleep despite enough opportunity in bed.

The sleeping difficulty you experience may be that you take a long time to fall asleep first thing at night. The difficulty can be with many and long awakenings across the night. It can be waking earlier than intended and not being able to get back to sleep. Or it can be a combination of these difficulties.

But the most important indication that your sleep is not adequate is when you feel exhausted, tired, irritable, and may have trouble concentrating or remembering things. If you have these troublesome daytime symptoms as well as difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep, this book is for you.

Sleep and Insomnia

Are you alone with this difficulty? How many people experience insomnia?

  • Although it may seem like you suffer insomnia alone, there are a lot of you.
  • Scientifically conducted surveys find that up to 50% of the whole population would have experienced at least a short bout of sleeping difficulty and tiredness during any one year. Some of these individuals go on to develop chronic and severe insomnia with unrelenting impairments to their daytime feelings and functioning.
  • It is perhaps not surprising that these same surveys find that 5-10% of the whole population suffers this more chronic, severe insomnia.
  • In concrete terms this means that there are at least 1 million chronic insomnia sufferers in Australia, the equivalent of ten full-to-capacity Melbourne Cricket grounds, the entire city of Adelaide, or every 15th person in your street.
  • So some night when you are lying awake in bed feeling you’re the only person in the world with this problem, you could go out into the street and yell, “anybody else can’t sleep”, and you are very likely to find another insomnia sufferer.
  • Sleeping difficulty is the third most frequent problem (behind stomach problems and headaches) reported to general medical practitioners.
  • Another indication of how common insomnia is comes from surveys of the use of sleep medications. Again, about 5% of the population regularly takes prescribed drugs to help sleep with a lot more using alcohol and over-the-counter remedies promising better sleep. So are the 5% taking sleeping pills cured of their insomnia and not the same as the 5%-10% who presently have chronic insomnia? No, most of those taking sleeping tablets still have insomnia! As we will see later in Chapter 15 sleeping pills usually offer only partial symptomatic improvement and only while they are being used. They do not address the causes of the insomnia and are not a cure.

Are there better ways to treat insomnia? ​

Yes. It is now clear that non-drug therapies provide better long-term improvement of sleep and daytime feelings. This conclusion comes from substantial scientific medical research and increasing clinical experience.

Question?

We invite you to contact us with any questions relating to light therapy queries: [email protected]

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep and Insomnia

1. What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep problem that can involve difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, or experiencing sleep that does not feel restorative. Occasional poor sleep is common, while persistent sleep problems may require assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.

2. What causes insomnia?

Insomnia can have many contributing factors, including stress, changes in routine, inconsistent sleep schedules, environmental factors, medical conditions, medications, and disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm. Identifying the underlying factors can help determine the most appropriate approach.

3. What is the difference between insomnia and a disrupted body clock?

Insomnia describes difficulty with sleep, while a disrupted circadian rhythm relates to the timing of your body’s sleep-wake cycle. The two can overlap. For example, someone whose body clock is shifted later may struggle to fall asleep at a conventional bedtime even when they are tired.

4. What is the circadian rhythm?

The circadian rhythm is the body’s approximately 24-hour internal timing system. It helps regulate when you feel alert and when you feel sleepy. Light is one of the most important environmental signals used by the body to synchronize this rhythm.

5. Can light therapy help with sleep problems?

Light therapy can help influence the timing of the circadian rhythm when used at an appropriate time. Depending on the desired change in sleep timing, light exposure may be used in the morning or evening. The appropriate timing depends on the individual’s sleep pattern and goal.

6. How can retimer light therapy glasses help with sleep?

retimer is a wearable light therapy device designed to provide controlled light exposure that can help influence circadian timing. Its purpose is to help users adjust the timing of their sleep and wake cycle when used according to an appropriate schedule. retimer states that its technology was developed from more than 25 years of circadian and sleep research.

7. Should I use retimer in the morning or at night?

The appropriate timing depends on the direction in which you want to shift your sleep schedule. In general, morning light exposure tends to shift the body clock earlier, while appropriately timed evening light can shift it later. retimer recommends using its app to help create a schedule based on your sleep goal.

8. How long does light therapy take to affect sleep timing?

The response varies between individuals and depends on the sleep schedule, timing of light exposure, consistency and the desired circadian shift. retimer notes that some people notice changes in sleep or energy relatively quickly, while shifting sleep and wake times generally occurs progressively and may take around one to two weeks.

9. Can light therapy help if I have trouble falling asleep?

It may be useful when difficulty falling asleep is related to a delayed or misaligned circadian rhythm. The timing of light exposure is important because morning and evening light can produce different effects on circadian timing. Persistent or severe insomnia should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

10. Can light therapy help if I wake up too early?

Early-morning awakening can sometimes be associated with an advanced circadian rhythm. Appropriately timed evening light may help shift circadian timing later in some circumstances. The correct schedule depends on the individual’s sleep pattern, so personalised guidance may be appropriate.

11. Can retimer replace sleeping tablets or other insomnia treatments?

retimer is a light therapy device and should not be presented as a replacement for prescribed medication or professional insomnia treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an established treatment for insomnia, and people with persistent sleep difficulties should discuss appropriate treatment options with a healthcare professional.

12. Is light therapy the same as using a normal lamp or sunlight?

Not necessarily. Therapeutic light devices are designed around specific characteristics such as light intensity, wavelength and exposure timing. Natural daylight is also an important circadian cue, while a light therapy device provides a more controlled and portable form of light exposure.

13. Can I use retimer while doing other activities?

One of the advantages of wearable light therapy is that it can be used while performing compatible everyday activities rather than requiring you to sit directly in front of a conventional light box. Follow the device instructions and recommended schedule when using retimer.

14. How often should I use retimer for sleep?

Consistency is important when trying to influence circadian timing. The recommended frequency, session duration and timing depend on the sleep goal and should follow the schedule provided by retimer or a qualified healthcare professional.

15. Is retimer suitable for everyone with insomnia?

Not necessarily. Insomnia can have many different causes, and light therapy is particularly relevant when circadian timing is part of the problem. If you have persistent insomnia, an underlying medical condition, eye problems, take medication that increases light sensitivity, or have another condition that could affect light therapy, speak with a healthcare professional before starting.

16. Is retimer safe to use?

retimer is designed as a light therapy device, but individual suitability can vary. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult a healthcare professional if you have an eye condition, light sensitivity, take photosensitising medication, or have another medical concern that could affect your use of bright light therapy.

17. What is CBT-I?

CBT-I stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia. It is a structured behavioural treatment that addresses factors contributing to persistent insomnia. Techniques may include managing time in bed, strengthening the association between bed and sleep, and developing consistent sleep behaviours.

18. What is sleep restriction therapy?

Sleep restriction therapy is a component of CBT-I that limits time in bed to increase sleep drive and improve sleep efficiency. It should be appropriately structured, particularly for people with significant sleep problems or other medical conditions.

19. Can I combine light therapy with other sleep strategies?

Light therapy can be one part of a broader sleep routine. Consistent wake times, appropriate exposure to daylight, a suitable sleep environment and evidence-based behavioural strategies can also be important. For persistent insomnia, professional assessment can help determine which combination is appropriate.

20. When should I see a doctor about insomnia?

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if sleep difficulties are persistent, significantly affect your daytime functioning, occur alongside other concerning symptoms, or do not improve with reasonable changes to your sleep routine. A professional can help identify possible causes and appropriate treatment.

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