During daytime, people concerned are constantly exhausted resp. tired and succumb to their tiredness. They also fall asleep at inappropriate occasions. This especially happens, when the room they are in is slightly darkened and it becomes quiet (like in the cinema, theater, at meetings and lectures).
Reasons for daytime sleepiness:
There are several reasons for excessive daytime sleepiness. Most commonly, because people concerned don’t get enough sleep. This can be due to several causes:
(1) Lack of sleeping hygiene
- The bedroom is too warm or too cold
- The bedroom is too bright
- Caffeine-, nicotine- or alcohol-consumption is too high
- Too few exercise in fresh air
- Too long nap
- An uncomfortable bed and an improper clothing
- An irregular sleep-wake-cycle
(2) shift work
(3) jetlag
(4) physical reasons causing sleep disturbances
- Sleep apnoea
- Narcolepsy
- Restless legs syndrome
- Snoring
Especially during work or when driving long hours, increased daytime sleepiness can be dangerous. Momentary nodding off is not only dangerous for oneself but also for others.
What to do against an increased daytime sleepiness?
Seek medical advice when you are feeling extremely tired during the day for no clear reason for a longer period of time or fall asleep for a short time inadvertently. To avoid extreme daytime sleepiness pay special attention to an appropriate sleep hygiene and sleep surrounding.
Relaxation techniques support you in falling asleep resp. sleeping through easier. A regular sleep-wake-cycle supports the sleeping process and your sleep will be more restful. Like this, it might be possible to even prevent an unfavorable intake of sleeping-pills.
Receive further information in our sleep-healthy-guidebook “sleep yourself young, fit and successful”, free of cost.
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