Insomnia and sleep disorders

Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. However, when we toss and turn in bed night after night without falling asleep or wake up too early, insomnia can make our lives really uncomfortable. Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders – it is manifested by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night or a feeling of unrefreshing sleep. In the short term, it can occur in response to stress or a sudden change (e.g. before an important exam, after jet lag while traveling, etc.), but if it lasts for weeks and months, we are talking about chronic insomnia. Long-term insomnia is not just an inconvenience; it is a problem that can seriously affect your health, performance and psychological well-being. In addition to insomnia, there are other sleep disorders – for example, sleep rhythm disorder, when a person has a shifted regime (night waking and daytime sleepiness), or parasomnias, such as night terrors and sleepwalking. In all cases, if sleep does not fulfill its restorative function, the entire organism suffers.

Causes of sleep disorders

The causes of insomnia can be many and often combine with each other. Common triggers include stress and psychological tension - worries at work, relationship problems or anxiety and fear can keep a person awake. Insomnia also often accompanies other psychological problems, such as anxiety disorder or depression. Other factors can be inappropriate sleep habits and regimen : irregular bedtime and wake-up times, long nights, excessive use of electronics before bedtime, caffeine or heavy meals in the late hours. The environment and lifestyle also play a role - noisy or bright surroundings, an uncomfortable bed, but also lack of exercise during the day or, conversely, shift work can disrupt sleep. Sometimes insomnia is caused by health problems (e.g. pain, hormonal changes, neurological problems) or the use of certain medications. A vicious circle often develops, where the occasional sleepless night causes anxiety about further sleep, which creates anxiety about insomnia - the person worries in advance that they will not be able to sleep again, and it is this nervousness that makes it impossible for them to fall asleep again.

Consequences of long-term insomnia

Quality sleep is as important to the body and mind as a healthy diet or breathing. When we lack it, we soon feel it on many levels. Long-term (chronic) insomnia can lead to:

• Chronic fatigue and exhaustion – without enough sleep, the body lacks energy. A person feels constantly tired, has trouble getting up in the morning, and struggles with sleepiness during the day.

• Abuse of alcohol or other addictive substances – whether it is alcohol, sleeping pills or other psychoactive substances, they may make it easier to fall asleep in the short term, but they worsen the quality of sleep and create addiction.

• Impaired concentration and memory – a sleep-deprived brain functions less well. It is difficult to concentrate at work or school, make decisions, and remember new information.

• Mood swings and psychological problems – lack of sleep causes irritability, moodiness and reduced resistance to stress. In the long term, it can contribute to the development of anxiety or depressive states.

• Weakened immunity and health – the immune system regenerates during sleep. When sleep is lacking, susceptibility to infections and civilization diseases increases.

• Impaired quality of life – constant fatigue and sleep deprivation affect relationships and social life. A person loses interest in activities that previously brought joy.

Insomnia is far from being a banal problem "only at night" - its effects are carried over into the whole day and the overall functioning of a person. Therefore, it is important not to underestimate this problem and to look for ways to improve sleep.

Insomnia treatment at the NEO Center

The good news is that most cases of insomnia can be successfully treated with lifestyle changes and targeted therapy. At NEO Center, we help clients find their way to more restful nights and more refreshed mornings. Our approach is comprehensive – we focus on both eliminating the immediate sleep problems and eliminating the causes that cause them.

Sleep hygiene and dietary measures

The basis of insomnia treatment is the adjustment of so-called sleep hygiene , i.e. habits and conditions for healthy sleep. The therapist will go through your daily routine with you and help you identify factors that disrupt your sleep. Together you will set a healthier sleep routine - for example, regularly going to bed and getting up at the same time (even on weekends), creating a calming evening routine and limiting distractions (such as mobile phone and computer screens before bed). We will also recommend appropriate lifestyle adjustments: getting enough exercise during the day, but avoiding strenuous activity just before bedtime; limiting caffeine and alcohol in the afternoon and evening; having a light dinner instead of a heavy meal late at night, etc. Sometimes the implementation of these measures alone can bring a significant improvement in the quality of sleep.

Psychotherapy and professional help

If adjusting your regimen alone is not enough (especially in the case of chronic insomnia associated with psychological tension), targeted psychotherapy comes into play. At the NEO Center, we offer outpatient therapies , in which we focus on the thoughts and emotions that maintain your insomnia. Anxiety about not being able to sleep often develops with long-term insomnia - therefore, in therapy, we work to alleviate this anxiety and break the vicious circle of fears. Using cognitive-behavioral techniques, we challenge harmful thoughts (e.g. "If I don't fall asleep right away, I won't be able to do anything tomorrow" or "I will never sleep normally again") and replace them with more realistic and calmer thoughts. Relaxation exercises are also part of the therapy - you will learn methods that will relax you before going to bed, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or mindfulness meditation. These techniques help calm the body and racing thoughts, so that falling asleep comes more naturally. Our experts also work with doctors (as needed) – in some cases, supportive treatment such as melatonin or prescribing gentle sleeping pills for a limited period of time may be appropriate in the short term. However, we always ensure that the solution is as gentle as possible and sustainable in the long term.

Sleep restoration residential program

For clients whose insomnia is associated with severe exhaustion, severe long-term stress or other psychological difficulties, inclusion in our intensive residential program may be beneficial. As part of residential care at the NEO Center, the client has the opportunity to "switch off" from the external hustle and bustle for a while and focus only on themselves and their recovery. A fixed daily routine with regular time for sleep, a healthy diet and therapeutic activities will help gradually establish a new, healthier rhythm of the body. The combination of individual and group therapies, relaxation exercises (e.g. yoga or meditation) and other supportive activities contributes to the overall calming of the nervous system. In the calm environment of our clinic, clients learn to perceive sleep as a natural process again, not as a struggle. The residential program can thus start improving sleep, which the client then maintains with the support of our therapists even after returning home.

Restful sleep is possible again

If you suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders, know that help is at hand . You don't have to accept that "you just won't sleep anymore". Everyone deserves to experience peaceful nights and wake up rested. At NEO Center, we approach each case individually and sensitively - we understand how frustrating and discouraging sleepless nights can be. Together with you, we will analyze the possible causes of your insomnia and find ways to eliminate or alleviate them. With the support of experienced therapists and experts, you can restore a healthy sleep rhythm step by step. Instead of fatigue and despair, you will once again experience the feeling of having a good night's sleep and having enough energy for everything you need. Don't put off solving your sleep problems - the sooner you start solving the situation, the sooner you will feel relief. NEO Center is here to give you a helping hand on your way to a peaceful sleep.