What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it difficult, or even impossible, to fall or stay asleep. One in three people have some form of insomnia, according to the Sleep Health Foundation. And it's especially prevalent among people experiencing stress. At night, being unable to fall asleep can be a stressor on its own. Then, without good sleep, our brains lack the energy to handle other stressful moments during the day.

Here are a few symptoms an insomniac will experience:

• Lying awake for hours before falling asleep
• Sleeping for only small periods, often one or two hours at a time
• Waking up and feeling like you haven't slept
• Waking up earlier than intended and not being able to fall back asleep

Insomnia can be both a chronic or short-term disorder, and people under stress are at an increased risk. It's important to recognize when you are experiencing it, because failing to stop insomnia could come at a cost to your health.