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Don't worry - insomnia isn't anything scary or uncommon. It happens to tons of
people all the time (kids, teens, and grown-ups), and there are a lot of ways to
get over it. But first it's a good idea to try and figure out why you're having
trouble getting to sleep. Here are a few of the most common reasons.
Bedtime Fears
For kids, feeling scared or worried at bedtime is one of the main reasons for
having trouble falling asleep. Bedtime fears are pretty normal at certain ages -
most kids have them sometimes. The good news is that as you get older, you grow
out of these feelings. But in the meantime, some kids feel a little afraid in
the dark, others don't like the feeling of being alone in their room, and others
feel scared of noises they hear in the quiet of their bedrooms.
And, especially if you have a good imagination, being alone in the dark and
hearing a few noises can leave your heart racing and your mind whirling - when
the sound you hear is actually just your cat walking upstairs. Kids with active
imaginations can dream up all sorts of creepy things. It's pretty hard to fall
asleep when you're busy peeking out of one eye every couple of minutes to make
sure there are no pretend monsters creeping around in your room or bad guys
trying to get into your house.
If you're still waiting to grow out of these bedtime fears, here are some
things you can do to fall asleep in the meantime:
- Create a sleep-friendly bedtime space. Make sure your bed is ready for
sleep and relaxing - not so jammed with toys and stuffed animals that there's
no room for you.
- Look around your room from your bed. Are there things you can see from bed
that make you feel good, relaxed, happy, and peaceful? If not, make some.
Create pictures of your favorite things and hang them where you can see them.
Have your parent help you collect photos and posters or make a mobile.
Nightmares
Have you been having any
nightmares lately? Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep when you're afraid of
having a scary nightmare that feels way too real. If the fear of nightmares is
keeping you awake, try talking to a parent. Sometimes talking about the
nightmares (and even drawing a picture of them) can help you stop having them.
By the way, kids have many more scary dreams when they watch scary or violent
TV shows or videos before bedtime. A great way to stop having nightmares and
start having good dreams is to think good thoughts before bed. Imagine a
favorite place or activity or think of all the people who care about you.
Reading a peaceful bedtime story (your parent can read to you, or you can read
to yourself) or playing soothing music can help you have sweet dreams.
Worry and Stress
Insomnia can also happen when you're worried about things. This kind of
worry is called
stress, and it's very normal. It's easy to feel stressed when you have tests
and papers for school, plus after-school activities, team sports, and chores
around the house. If you're starting to feel overwhelmed - like it's all just
too much - speak up.
Teachers and parents don't want you to feel stressed over these things, so
they'll help you set up a schedule where you can get all the important stuff
done and still have plenty of time to get a good night's sleep.
Changes
It's pretty simple to find the cause of your sleep troubles if you've recently
had a major change in your life or daily routine. Changes like
divorce,
death, illness, and even
moving to a new town can affect your ability to sleep through the night.
During a difficult time like this, it's important to feel safe. It might help
if you bring a comforting object to bed with you, like a blanket a relative made
for you or a favorite stuffed animal you've had for years. It's also important
to share your feelings with a parent, and maybe even visit a
counselor to talk everything through.
Whatever the cause, insomnia (not sleeping) once in a while is very common.
When it lasts a long time, even after you and your parent have tried some of
these solutions, your doctor or a counselor can help you solve your sleeping
problems. There are even special doctors at sleep clinics who can help.
Most of the time, kids' sleep problems can be solved pretty easily. It's a
matter of trying some of the right things in your bedtime routine and having
patience while new sleep habits develop.
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